Sabrina Carpenter Reacts as Music Video Filmed in Catholic Church Sparks Controversy: 'Jesus Was a Carpenter'

A Catholic priest was stripped of his administrative duties after allowing Carpenter to shoot her "Feather" music video in an NYC church

Sabrina Carpenter is brushing off the controversy surrounding her "Feather" music video.

Following its release last month, the visual was swiftly denounced by a Catholic bishop for its filming both in and outside a church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and The New York Times reported that a Catholic priest was then stripped of his administrative duties for allowing the location to be used.

In a new interview with Variety, Carpenter confirmed she received permission to film in the church — and joked about the backlash with a cheeky reference to her own name. "We got approval in advance," said the "Nonsense" performer, adding, "and Jesus was a carpenter."

Related: Priest Disciplined for Allowing Sabrina Carpenter to Film Music Video Inside Catholic Church

The horror-inspired "Feather" music video, which currently holds over 12 million views, features shots inside the 19th century church, such as Carpenter dancing around its pews and altar in a black tulle dress and veil.

In the clip, the former Disney Channel star is also seen killing and witnessing the deaths of men who acted inappropriately toward her, whether through catcalling, mansplaining or taking a nonconsensual photo up her skirt.

Two days after the "Feather" video dropped, the Diocese of Brooklyn shared a statement with the Catholic News Agency, stating that Bishop Robert Brennan "is appalled at what was filmed at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn."

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Related: Sabrina Carpenter Kills Boys in the Horror-Inspired Music Video for 'Feather' — Watch!

The statement continued, “The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script.”

According to Catholic News Agency, the parish told the diocese that the production company behind the music video “failed to accurately represent the video content.”

Earlier this week, the NYT reported that Bishop Brennan "relieved" Monsignor Gigantiello of his administrative duties over the parish" days after the video's release.

Related: Sabrina Carpenter Says Opening for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Is a 'Childhood Dream Come True'

In a letter shared to the church’s Facebook page, Gigantiello apologized and explained he conducted an online search of Carpenter's work upon getting approached by a crew to film the music video in September, and his research “did not reveal anything questionable." In turn, he approved the project, hoping to "further strengthen the bonds between the young creative artists who make up a large part of this community."

Per the The New York Times, the pastor said in an email that he was aware there would be a funeral scene in the visual, but the final version of the visual was “not what was initially presented to me.”

The church in Brooklyn claims "a more thorough investigation will be made into the approval process in the coming weeks."

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