At least two of a number of talks that a controversial American Catholic chastity campaigner was expected to deliver to Irish school students will not now take place.
Jason Evert advocates chastity for teens and young adults. In books and in speeches he has called homosexuality, and the use of contraceptives, "disordered".
Mr Evert is touring Ireland, visiting Dublin and Waterford, over two days next week. According to a schedule that was published on Mr Evert's website but was subsequently withdrawn, Mr Evert was due to deliver addresses to two fee-charging Dublin boys schools, as well as at churches and other locations in Dublin and in Waterford.
According to the schedule, Mr Evert was due to address "Catholic co-ed grades" at an event at the Tower Hotel in Waterford on Thursday morning.
The meeting is listed on the website of the Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, which states that "Jason is an experienced, dynamic, international youth speaker" and the event is "not to be missed".
However this evening the hotel told RTÉ News that that meeting has now been cancelled.
The schedule also listed events at two fee-charging boys south Dublin schools, Blackrock College, and Rockbrook Park School, due to take place next Wednesday.
Rockbrook Park School is a small private school that follows the teachings of Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva.
RTÉ has been unable to contact Rockbrook Park School to seek confirmation of the event. However this evening Blackrock College told RTÉ News that a talk was not taking place and that there would be no further comment.
In one text aimed at promoting chastity among boys and young men, Mr Evert writes about homosexuality: "A guy who has these attractions may not want them, or even know where they're coming from. Perhaps they stem from an unhealthy relationship with his father, an inability to relate to other guys, or even sexual abuse."
He goes on to write: "The homosexual act is disordered, much like contraceptive sex between heterosexuals. Both acts are directed against God’s natural purpose for sex - babies and bonding."
The CEO of LGBT Ireland, Paula Fagan, said it was accepted now that between 8% and 10% of any population identified as LGBT and that this was a normal orientation.
"To call it disordered is hugely damaging and harmful to young people", she said, "and it is shocking to think that young people here could be exposed to such a claim".
On the use of condoms, which Mr Evert opposes, he writes: "Manhood is found in total self-giving, not in hiding behind a barrier. Wait until God blesses you with a bride, and then be free and unafraid to give yourself to her totally."
Mr Evert’s website urges young people to launch chastity projects "within their schools and churches".
According to Catholic website CatholicIreland.net the theme of Mr Evert’s tour is 'It Starts With the Heart'.
The website states that topics to be covered are likely to include friendships, dating as a Catholic, being truly free to love, the meaning of sex, Christian marriage, and more.
Speaking on Twitter this evening, CEO of SpunOut.ie, Ian Power, said that he is glad to see two of his talks to young students are not going ahead.
He queried how a school could stand over inviting a speaker who advocates contraceptives as immoral, and urges LGBT students to live a life of chastity, to speak to its students.
