Plug pulled on retreat for group linked to 'anti-LGBTQ therapy'

A controversial Christian group's plans to hold an event in Rothesay, which drew fire from LGBTQ activists, have been cancelled, though it is not clear why.

Journey Canada wasadvertising an intensive retreat at Villa Madonna Retreat House, which is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John.

The Vancouver-based group,formerly called Living Waters, is a non-denominational ministry focused on healing "the relationally and sexually broken."

According to the group, a wide range of sexual actsoutside of heterosexual marriage including homosexuality, "oral sex, mutual masturbation, pornography use, and compulsive masturbation" violateGod's boundaries for sexual expression.

The group's retreat was scheduled to take placefrom July 22 to 28.

• Controversial 'anti-LGBTQ therapy' group plans retreat in Rothesay

However, in email toCBC, DianneO'Dell, administrative director for the Villa Madonna, said Wednesday that the retreat has now been cancelled.

She said she could not comment on the reasons behind thecancellationor say who made the decision.

CBCNews tried the Diocese of Saint John and Journey Canada on Wednesday afternoon but did not receive an immediate response.

'Ripple effect'

Critics, including St. Thomas University professor ErinFredericks, said the courses offered by thegroupamounted to"anti-LGBTQtherapy."

"This isn't an organization that we want training local leaders to work with youth,or to work with other leaders of their faith-based communities,"Frederickssaid.

She said she was happy the Rothesay event was cancelled.

"We were surprised to see that they were coming to New Brunswick, becausethey haven't before, and we're upset that this message was coming to a province that we believe had made some real steps forward in the last couple years towardsupportingLGBTQ New Brunswickers,"Fredericks said.

Her main concern was the "ripple effect" the event could have in spreading messages of intolerance.

"It's not just about people who attend the event, it's about the influence that they have after."

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Villa Madonna who was asked about criticism of the planned retreat, said thedecision about whether it would go ahead was up to Bishop Robert Harris.

Harris said at the time that he was working on the issue.

Living Waters changed its name to Journey Canada in 2015.

The organization, which received $666,548 in donations last year, ministered to 9,100 people in 42 cities across Canada, according to its 2017 annual report.