Robert J. Brennan
Robert John Brennan | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Brooklyn | |
Brennan in 2020 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Brooklyn |
| Appointed | September 29, 2021 |
| Installed | November 30, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio |
| Previous posts |
|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 27, 1989 by John R. McGann |
| Consecration | July 25, 2012 by William Francis Murphy Charles J. Chaput Paul Henry Walsh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 7, 1962 |
| Alma mater | St. John's University Seminary of the Immaculate Conception |
| Motto | Thy will be done |
| Styles of Robert John Brennan | |
|---|---|
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Robert John Brennan (born June 7, 1962) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as bishop of Brooklyn in New York City since 2021. Previously he served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York State from 2012 to 2019, and as bishop of Columbus in Ohio from 2019 to 2021.
Biography
Early life
Robert J. Brennan was born on June 7, 1962, to Robert and Patricia Brennan in The Bronx, New York. He has two brothers and two sisters. His maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland.[1]
Brennan was raised in Lindenhurst, New York. He went to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Lindenhurst and then attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, New York. After finishing high school, Brennan entered St. John's University in Queens, New York, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science.[1]
Having decided to become a priest, Brennan enrolled at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree.[1]
Priesthood
Brennan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, New York, on May 27, 1989, by Bishop John R. McGann.[2] Brennan's first pastoral assignment was at St. Patrick Parish in Smithtown, New York.[1]
In 1994, McGann appointed Brennan as his priest-secretary. He continued in this role for Bishops James McHugh and William F. Murphy, while also providing pastoral service at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish. Brennan left this position in 2002 to become vicar general and moderator of the curia. In 2010, he was named pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Long Beach, New York.[1]
Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre
Brennan was appointed titular bishop of Erdonia and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre on June 8, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. He received his episcopal consecration at St. Agnes Cathedral on July 25, 2012, from Bishop Murphy, with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Paul Henry Walsh acting as co-consecrators.[3][2]
Bishop of Columbus
Pope Francis appointed Brennan as bishop of Columbus on January 31, 2019.[4][5] He was installed there on March 29, 2019.[6] In August 2019, Brennan initiated with the Vatican the elevation of Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Lancaster, Ohio, to the rank of a minor basilica.[7]
In December 2020, Brennan announced the "Real Presence Real Future" strategic planning initiative for the diocese. He described it as "increasing the presence of Christ throughout its 23 counties over the next three years and upholding the Faith for future generations."[8] The initiative involved grouping some parishes and closing others to deal with the shortage of priests in the diocese. Diocesan officials termed the initiative a hallmark of Brennan's tenure as bishop in Columbus.[9]
In December 2020, Brennan condemned the shooting of Casey Goodson by police in Columbus. [10]
Bishop of Brooklyn
On September 29, 2021, Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn and named Brennan to succeed him.[11] Brennan was installed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan on November 30, 2021, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn.[12] Brennan's motto, "Thy Will Be Done," a passage from the Lord's Prayer, is engraved on the headstone of his grandfather, and was on a prayer card that he kept until his death.[13]
Controversy over music video
In 2023, the American singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter filmed a music video for her song "Feather" inside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Annunciation Parish church. The video showed Carpenter dancing around the sanctuary with several items on the altar, while appearing with "no pants".[14] Two days after the video's release, Brennan issued a statement that he was "appalled" by what was filmed inside the church. He indicated that the parish did not adhere to the diocesan policy on filming within church grounds, which requires a review of the scenes and script.[15][16]
The administrative duties of Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello, as vicar for development, who permitted Carpenter's team to shoot inside the church, were subsequently terminated.[17][18] Gigantiello's administrative oversight as pastor of the parish was also delegated to Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski.[19] While some parishioners and Catholics supported Gigantiello and believed the punishment was too harsh, others were offended by his actions.[20][21]
Initally, Gigantiello defended his decision, stating that he had approved the filming because his online search about Carpenter did not reveal anything worrisome, and that he wanted to increase the church's appeal to youth.[22][23] Gigantiello later apologized for allowing the shoot, stating that he was informed that a funeral scene would be filmed inside the church, but believed most of it would be done outside the church building and that Carpenter's team did not appropriately represent the video's content.[23][24][25]
On November 4, 2023, Brennan celebrated a Mass of Reparation, to "restore the sanctity of this church and repair the harm".[23][26][27] Carpenter responded to the controversy by saying "we got approval in advance" and noting that "Jesus was a carpenter."[28][29][30]
In September 2024, an investigation into Gigantiello uncovered evidence that led to the indictment of New York City mayor Eric Adams.[31]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn". Diocese of Brooklyn. 2021-12-01. Archived from the original on 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ a b "Bishop Robert John Brennan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Rattner, Judy (August 1, 2012). "Two priests become auxiliary bishops in St. Agnes ordination". Long Island Herald. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 31.01.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. January 31, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
- ^ "Pope names Long Island auxiliary as bishop of Columbus". Catholic News. January 31, 2019. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ Orozco, Jackie (March 29, 2019). "New York Bishop officially installed as 12th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus". WSYX. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ Bean, Doug (August 14, 2022). "Lancaster St. Mary of the Assumption designated a minor basilica". The Catholic Times. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
- ^ "Diocese of Columbus announces "Real Presence, Real Future" Strategic Initiative to Plot Future | Real Presence, Real Future". Archived from the original on 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
- ^ King, Danae (12 October 2021). "'Hallmark' of his time as bishop, Brennan hopes diocese reorientation continues without him". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ King, Danae. "Columbus' Catholic bishop, Robert J. Brennan, is outspoken on race, engages with fellow faith leaders". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 29.09.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bishop Brennan installed as leader of the Brooklyn Diocese". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
- ^ Brennan, The Most Rev Robert. "Column: Bishop Robert Brennan and the meaning behind his motto, 'Thy will be done'". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
- ^ "Brooklyn bishop 'appalled' over music video shot in Catholic church, will investigate". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ Wang, Jessica (November 3, 2023). "Diocese of Brooklyn Is 'Appalled' That Sabrina Carpenter Filmed 'Feather' Music Video in Catholic Church". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Bell, Sadie (November 3, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Feather' Music Video Filmed in NYC Catholic Church Leaves Brooklyn Diocese 'Appalled'". People. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Curto, Justin (November 27, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Feather' Video Got a Priest in Big Trouble". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Sabrina Carpenter's Music Video in a Church Prompts Diocese to Hold Mass for 'Sanctity'". USA Today. Associated Press. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Lavenburg, John. "BROOKLYN BISHOP CELEBRATES MASS OF REPARATION IN CHURCH AFTER MUSIC VIDEO 'DESECRATION'". Diocese of Erie. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Montali, Stepfano (November 25, 2023). "A Pop Star Filmed a Music Video in a Church. The Priest Was Punished". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Boisvert, Lauren (November 30, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Thoughts on Church Controversy Surrounding 'Feather' Music Video". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Okazawa, Ben (November 27, 2023). "Catholic Priest Demoted for Allowing Sabrina Carpenter to Film "Feather" Music Video in Brooklyn Church". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c De Loera, Carlos (November 28, 2023). "A Sabrina Carpenter Music Video Leads to Discipline for a Priest as a Church is Re-consecrated". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Brooklyn pastor apologizes for provocative music video filmed in church". Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ "Brooklyn bishop 'appalled' over music video shot in Catholic church, will investigate". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ Vera, Kelby (November 26, 2023). "Catholic Priest Punished for Permitting Provocative Music Video Shoot at Church". HuffPost. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Abby (November 28, 2023). "Catholic Priest Punished Over Sabrina Carpenter's Church-Set 'Feather' Video". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 29, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Responds to Catholic Church Controversy: 'Jesus Was a Carpenter'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (November 29, 2023). "After Catholic Church Debacle, Sabrina Carpenter Welcomes a New Fan: Jesus Christ". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Parkel, Inga (November 29, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Shares Sharp Response to Catholic Church Controversy". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Coltin, Jeff; Reisman, Nick; Ngo, Emily (September 23, 2024). "The Catholic Church Enters the Adams World Scandals". Politico. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.