The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said Monday it has removed Jamie Gigantiello from his position at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish. Gigantiello’s removal followed an independent investigation that found he had repeatedly misused church funds and allowed a pop singer to film a music video in his church, the diocese said.
How did this priest misuse the church’s finances? Gigantiello donated about $1.9 million to businesses and a law firm owned by attorney Frank Carone from 2019 to 2021, the diocese said. Carone became chief of staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams the next year. The money transfers to Carone’s business enterprises violated the diocese’s protocols for the acceptable use of church funds and Gigantiello made them without discussing the matter with other church officials or seeking approval for the transfer, the diocese said.
The independent investigation found that in other cases, Gigantiello had transferred funds that violated diocesan protocols. It also emerged that he regularly used a church credit card for personal expenses, according to the diocese.
What was wrong with this music video? Gigantiello allowed pop singer Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church building. The diocese explained that Gigantiello had violated church policy. The video shows scenes of vulgarity, violence and lewd dancing inside the church building.
Has Gigantiello responded to the diocese’s demands? In an interview with National Catholic ReporterGigantiello described the disciplinary measures taken against him as part of a witch hunt that outraged the church. Gigantiello said members of his own finance board approved the money transfers to Carone’s company and he was unaware that diocesan approval was required. He admitted to using the parish credit card for personal expenses, but said those funds came from an additional $30,000 annual contribution from the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens. He said these additional funds were intended to compensate for duties he took on in addition to his work as a priest for the diocese.
**What actions did the Diocese take regarding Father Gigantiello’s financial decisions, and how might this decision affect the Diocese’s relationship with its parishioners?** (
## World Today News Interview: Priest Removal Raises Ethical and Financial Questions
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the recent removal of Father Jamie Gigantiello from Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish in Brooklyn. We have with us two distinguished guests: Dr. Emily Carter, an expert in Catholic church governance and policy, and Mr. David Miller, a financial ethics consultant. Welcome both.
**(Guests acknowledge and greet host and each other)**
**Host:** Dr. Carter, the Diocese claims Gigantiello violated protocols by donating quase two million dollars to entities linked to Frank Carone, now New York City’s chief of staff. What are the typical safeguards in place to prevent such financial irregularities within a diocese?
**Dr. Carter:** Well, there are several layers of financial oversight within a diocese. Each parish should have a finance council composed of lay members who review budgets, approve spending, and ensure transparency. Diocesan offices also often conduct regular audits and require prior approval for significant expenditures.
**Host:** Mr. Miller, looking at the specifics of this case, what raises red flags for you regarding the handling of funds?
**Mr. Miller:** Several areas are concerning. Transferring almost two million dollars over three years to a single entity without proper disclosure or approvals is a significant breach of fiduciary duty. Additionally, the connection to a politically prominent figure raises questions about potential conflict of interest and whether this was truly a charitable donation or something else.
**(Host addresses Gigantiello’s responses)**
**Host:** Father Gigantiello claims the parish finance board approved these transfers. Dr. Carter, how common is it for parish-level finance boards to have decision-making authority over such large sums, and does this align with standard diocesan practices?
**Dr. Carter:** Typically, parish finance boards operate within defined limits set by the diocese. Large donations, especially those exceeding a certain threshold, would likely require direct approval from the bishop or diocesan financial administration.
**Host:** Mr. Miller, Gigantiello also argues that the credit card use was covered by additional funds. How important is separating personal andorganizational finances, even when additional funds are available?
**Mr. Miller:** Crucial. Mixing funds creates a lack of transparency and can’t be justified even with additional income streams. It creates an environment ripe for potential abuse and undermines public trust.
**Host:** Now, let’s move on to the controversy surrounding the Sabrina Carpenter music video. Dr. Carter, what are the theological and ethical implications of allowing a video containing potentially offensive content to be filmed within a sacred space?
**Dr. Carter:** Churches are meant to be places of prayer, reflection, and spiritual nourishment. Using them for commercial purposes, especially if the content is disrespectful or contradicts church teachings, can be deeply hurtful to the faithful and undermine the sanctity of the space.
**Host:** Mr. Miller, moving beyond the theological aspect, what are the broader social and reputational consequences for the church when such incidents occur?
**Mr. Miller:** Incidents like this damage public trust in religious institutions. They can be seen as frivolous or out of touch with contemporary values. This can lead to declining attendance, decreased financial donations, and a weakening of the church’s moral authority within society.
**(Host concludes the interview)**
**Host:** This was a complex case raising significant questions about transparency, financial accountability and the appropriate use of sacred spaces. Thank you, Dr. Carter and Mr. Miller, for sharing your insights on this important issue.
**(Guests thank the host)**
