Peter Catt, the dean of St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane, has announced his retirement after 18 years in the position following criticism over the filming of an OnlyFans documentary inside the Anglican cathedral.
Catt’s decision follows controversy surrounding an episode of Stan’s reality series “Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money”, which follows people working in the adult entertainment industry. The sixth episode featured British OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips visiting St John’s Cathedral as she explored her Christian faith.
Catt took part in the visit and led Phillips through a religious ceremony in which she was invited to reaffirm her faith. But the programme also captured members of the cathedral congregation in the background, including children, raising concerns about how the filming had been authorised and whether adequate safeguards had been put in place.
Catt said he had agreed to be filmed himself but acknowledged that he had failed to take sufficient steps to protect other members of the cathedral community from being recorded.
“I deeply regret that this happened and unreservedly apologise,” Catt said.
The production company subsequently blurred or removed the faces of churchgoers who appeared in the programme. The changes were intended to address privacy concerns surrounding people who had been captured during the filming.
The controversy also prompted discussions between Catt and Brisbane Archbishop Jeremy Greaves. Following those discussions, Catt decided to retire from his role as dean. He is currently on leave but is expected to return before formally completing his duties on September 27.
The episode has also led to a wider review of how filming is approved at the cathedral. Greaves has ordered an examination of the existing procedures for allowing television and other productions to use church property, acknowledging that there were gaps in the approval process.
The dispute is therefore not limited to Catt’s decision to step down. It has also raised questions about the responsibility of religious institutions when their premises are used for television productions involving sensitive or potentially controversial subject matter.
For Catt, the decision brings an 18-year tenure at one of Brisbane’s best-known Anglican institutions to an end. His retirement follows a controversy that began with his attempt to provide a religious setting for someone seeking to reconnect with her faith, but which ultimately exposed shortcomings in the protection of other members of the cathedral community during the filming.
The cathedral’s review of its filming procedures is now expected to address those shortcomings and establish clearer safeguards for future productions using its property.
