It was God’s will that Rosie O’Donnell’s gay cruise was cancelled, according to churches on the Island.

The decision by R Family Vacations to call off its visit to Bermuda was “a victory for God” claim United By Faith.

A statement last night by the interfaith group said: “We, the 80 churches of United by Faith, consider the cancellation of the Rosie O’Donnell cruise to be a victory for God.

“We have had our churches praying for this since it was first announced and have had intercessors praying both here and abroad.

“God moved in that this decision came without any consultation with us and before we released our statement concerning the matter. We are thankful God intervened and anticipate greater blessings upon Bermuda. To God be the Glory.”

The cancellation of the cruise in the face of hostility from church groups flies in the face of the Department of Tourism’s invitation to tourists to ‘Feel the Love’. Some say it could also taint Bermuda’s image.

Yesterday Pink News, a gay newspaper in the UK, was running the headline ‘Rosie’s gay family cruise will avoid homophobic island’. International news agency, Associated Press, also picked up on the story and Yahoo News featured it on its website.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport, announced the cancellation of the cruise on Monday after R Family Vacations expressed “a measure of concern about what might occur if the cruise stopped in Bermuda”.

Last night he declined to comment further.

It appears chief executive Gregg Kaminsky did not want a repeat of the situation in Nassau, in the Bahamas, in 2004 when dockside protests by church-goers left children in tears. He told The Royal Gazette last month that just “one picketer” would be enough to cancel the July 12 trip.

In a statement on the company’s website yesterday, Mr. Kaminsky said: “I offered to meet with any or all churches that would be willing to talk this out face-to-face. Not one church took me up on my offer.

“The Premier of Bermuda personally contacted me to let me know that he and his Government welcome all tourists regardless of sexual orientation or religious affiliation.

“We also received hundreds of e-mails from Bermuda residents welcoming us to their country.

“However, Kelli (O’Donnell’s partner) and I are not 100 percent confident that some protestors would not meet us upon our arrival. While those groups may be the minority voice, we feel that our cruise would be more enjoyable with an alternate itinerary to ports where we know we are welcome by everyone.”

He added: “Please note that we feel that Bermuda is welcoming to gay and lesbian tourists. However, there is a minority of vocal churches who do not welcome us.

“Most residents of Bermuda and the Government have been extremely respectful to our group, and we do not want our change of plans to be interpreted, as anything, but a response to a few local (but vocal) church groups.”

The 2,200 adults and children aboard the Norwegian Dawn will instead visit Port Canaveral, Orlando, and Key West.

Last night, Mr. Curtis claimed that O’Donnell’s company had not contacted the churches.

He said: “I have no knowledge of anyone saying ‘No’ to their request. Of course we would have met them. The UBF does not discriminate against anyone.”

Mr. Curtis, who is also chairman of Faith Based Tourism, denied the controversy could have repercussions for the tourist industry.

He said: “I don’t think it will have any negative impact. Bermuda is known as a Christian country, it’s clean and peaceful and that’s the reason why tourists come here.”

However, E. Michael Jones, chairman of the Tourist Board, described the situation as “unfortunate”.

He said: “As a tourist destination Bermuda needs to be welcoming to all those who want to come and visit us.

“I think it will certainly make us appear to be an island who selects who we want to come and visit us, and I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

O’Donnell presents ABC’s popular ‘The View’ programme, which is broadcast to millions. The lesbian Emmy Award-winning talk show host was once cited among Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential People in America.

Last night, other churches on the Island expressed mixed views.

Roman Catholic Bishop the Most Rev. Robert Kurtz said he was “surprised” but relieved at the decision.

Rev. Kurtz said: “I’m personally relieved the cruise is not coming to Bermuda because it was causing so much tension for people. It was controversial and now it’s not coming we don’t have to deal with all the issues around it.”

He said: “I don’t think it will harm tourism as there’s a lot of cruises coming to Bermuda.”

Rev. Malcolm Eve, presiding elder of the African Methodist and Episcopal Church (AME) which said it was “not in favour of this cruise coming to our shores” was last night off Island and unavailable for comment.

UBF: ‘A victory for God’