Melinda Tankard Reist / Facebook

An Anglican archbishop has apologized after a reality TV show about successful OnlyFans sex workers filmed the baptism of an adult-content creator inside a historic Australian cathedral.

The Most Rev. Jeremy Greaves, archbishop of Brisbane, said he was “shocked” by the content of the series “Turned On: Dirty, Sexy Money” after scenes were filmed at St John’s Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane. The series, available on Australian streaming service Stan, follows women who have made large sums of money through OnlyFans.

The episode featured 24-year-old British OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips, who has previously drawn international attention for her sexually explicit content, as she sought to reconnect with the Christian faith of her childhood.

Footage showed the cathedral’s dean, the Very Rev. Dr. Peter Catt, baptizing Phillips at the altar and asking her, “Do you turn to Christ?” At least one child was also reportedly visible during the ceremony.

In a letter to the clergy, Greaves apologized for the cathedral’s use in the production.

“I would like to apologize for the distress and anger generated by the Dean’s decision to allow St John’s Cathedral to be used as a backdrop for a reality television program currently streaming on STAN,” Greaves wrote.

“Like many of you, I am shocked by the content, nature, and intent of the program, which does not align with the faith and values of this Diocese.”

Greaves said cathedral officials had been led to believe the production would be a documentary exploring “faith, intention, and life’s complexities” through the experience of someone who had felt excluded from faith communities because of involvement in sex work.

The production company has disputed that characterization, saying the dean had approved the filming.

Greaves sharply criticized the finished series, describing it as “nothing more than clickbait, reality TV content that shamelessly attempts to validate the porn-industry.”

“I unreservedly condemn any attempt to validate an industry that exploits women and girls and contributes to degrading and unhealthy messaging around sex and sexuality,” he said.

The diocese has asked producers to remove certain footage filmed inside the cathedral, including what Greaves called the “completely unacceptable vision of children.” He also ordered an immediate review of policies governing third-party access to church property.

Australian author and social commentator Melinda Tankard Reist also criticized the production, arguing that “the church became a prop in a mainstream series for clicks, sexual solicitation and more paid subscribers.”

Phillips previously discussed her baptism in a January interview with Us Weekly, saying she “felt the need to start speaking to God again.” She also made clear that she did not intend to leave the sex industry.

“I’m definitely not claiming to be a traditional Christian at all,” Phillips said, adding that she hoped Christians would welcome her because “everyone’s relationship with God is bespoke to them.”

Greaves, meanwhile, said the controversy should never have occurred and promised safeguards to prevent a similar situation in the future.

“This is a situation which should never have happened,” he said.

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