WILLIAMSBURG — Bishop Robert Brennan has relieved Deacon Dean Dobbins from his role as temporary administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Williamsburg, the diocese announced on Nov. 18. 

The decision was made after he was recorded using racist and other offensive language in the parish office, according to the diocese. 

Deacon Dobbins had been serving as temporary parish administrator in the wake of a controversy surrounding its pastor, Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, allowing pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a provocative music video for her song “Feather” inside Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in October 2023.

Following the fallout over the video, Bishop Brennan relieved Msgr. Gigantiello of his administrative and financial duties at the parish and appointed Deacon Dobbins to serve as temporary administrator. On Nov. 18, after an investigation into mishandled finances, Msgr. Gigantiello was relieved from “any pastoral oversight or governance role” in the parish. 

According to the diocese, Deacon Dobbins’ “racist and offensive” remarks were captured on a secret recording that neither he nor the person he was speaking to knew of. The diocese said that immediately upon learning of the comments, Deacon Dobbins was placed on administrative leave.

The diocese said it “received evidence” of the remarks, which included the recording, from Msgr. Gigantiello’s lawyers on Nov. 7. The recordings were “apparently made at the direction of Msgr. Gigantiello,” without Deacon Dobbins’ consent, the diocese added. 

“It was wrong to secretly record Deacon Dobbins,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement, “but the use of such language by any church employee is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

This is a developing story.