The Dean of Brisbane's historic St John's Cathedral, Peter Catt, has announced his retirement following intense controversy sparked by the cathedral's involvement in Stan's adult-content reality series Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money. Catt made the announcement on Thursday after what he described as "prayerful reflection" and consultation with Brisbane Archbishop Jeremy Greaves, bringing an 18-year tenure at the 125-year-old cathedral to a close.
What Happened Inside St John's Cathedral
The controversy centres on episode six of Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money, a Stan reality series following people working in the adult-content industry. The episode featured UK-based OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips, who sought to reconnect with her Christian faith. Inside the cathedral, Catt invited Phillips to the altar and conducted what amounted to a religious ceremony, asking whether she turned to Christ, renounced evil and repented of her sins — to which she responded "I do." The group also participated in communion.
Catt said he had understood the production to be a documentary about an influencer attempting to reconnect with her faith after being excluded from religious communities because of her sex work. He said his decision to participate came from "a place of faith, love and acceptance" and a belief that everyone has the right to engage with their faith.
"It was my decision for the Cathedral to participate in a television show that was later named Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money," Catt acknowledged in a letter to the cathedral community. "I understand my decision has caused distress and concern within the faith community."
Congregation Footage Triggers Deeper Fallout
The situation escalated significantly when footage of congregation members — including children — appeared in the program. Catt said his arrangement with the producers had been explicitly limited to his own participation, and that no other cathedral community members were supposed to feature.
"I deeply regret that this happened and unreservedly apologise," he wrote.
Following a request from the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, Stan removed or blurred footage showing individuals other than Catt. The production company acknowledged the error, with Catt noting that "the producers have apologised and acknowledged their error in accidentally including members of the congregation."
Diocese Reviews Filming Policies
The episode has prompted a broader institutional response. The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane has launched a review of its policies governing filming at churches and other church properties. Archbishop Jeremy Greaves acknowledged there were "a number of gaps" in the existing approval process — gaps that allowed the filming to proceed without adequate oversight or safeguards.
Catt himself admitted he had failed to ensure sufficient protections were in place around the filming, and that this failure was central to his decision to step down.
A Long Ministry Comes to an End
In his letter to the cathedral community, Catt said he was "deeply saddened by the impact on all concerned" and had come to believe it was time to "conclude this chapter of his ministry." He had served as Dean of St John's Cathedral for 18 years — a tenure that now ends under difficult circumstances despite having been driven, he said, by an inclusive and compassionate intent.
Catt is currently on annual leave and is expected to return in mid-September. His final Sunday as Dean is scheduled for September 27.
The cathedral itself, a landmark of Brisbane's religious and architectural heritage now more than 125 years old, faces the task of rebuilding trust with its congregation as the diocese works through its policy review and begins the process of finding new leadership.
