Australian church leader retires after backlash over letting OnlyFans stars film documentary in cathedral

The dean of St John's Cathedral in Brisbane has stepped down after 18 years in the role following his appearance in an OnlyFans documentary.

Peter Catt took responsibility for the church's appearance in the Stan reality show, Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money, and announced his retirement on Thursday.

The show follows the lives of adult entertainers, with episode six aired in June, focusing on UK OnlyFans influencer Lily Phillips, who visited Catt's church.

Phillips sought to reconnect with her Christian faith and took part in a religious ceremony led by Catt, who was attempting to welcome her back to the church.

However, members of the congregation - including children - were visible in multiple shots.

Catt said he met with Brisbane Archbishop Jeremy Greaves to discuss the incident and determined he didn't take proper precautions to ensure churchgoers wouldn't be filmed.

In a letter to the church on Thursday, seen by the Courier Mail, Catt said he was 'deeply saddened by the impact on all concerned' and decided to 'conclude this chapter of his ministry'.

The series showed Catt invited the group of adult stars to the altar and asked if Phillips was ready to return to Christ and repent her sins, to which she said 'I do'.

Congregation members were visible during shots of the group sitting in the crowd and general landscape shots of the cathedral.

'It was my decision for the Cathedral to participate in a television show that was later named Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money,' Catt said.

'I come from a place of faith, love and acceptance and I believe everyone has the right to connect with their faith.

'But, I understand my decision has caused distress and concern within the faith community.'

Mischief & Wonder, the show's production company, previously claimed permission was 'obtained directly' from Catt to film inside the church.

But Catt on Thursday claimed he'd only given permission for himself to be filmed.

'My arrangement with the producers was limited to my own participation and no other members of the Cathedral community,' Catt said.

'However, footage taken during filming, including members of our congregation and children, was included in the programme (sic) when it first aired.

'I deeply regret that this happened and unreservedly apologise.'

The footage was later amended to blur visible churchgoers' faces. 

'The producers have apologised and acknowledged their error in accidentally including members of the congregation, and have blurred or removed anyone who was shown,' Catt said.  

Archbishop Greaves acknowledged there were a 'number of gaps' in the church's filming approval process, with the latest incident prompting a review.

Catt will return from annual leave mid-September and is set to finish his duties as dean on September 27.