Comments of Rev Brian Kennaway
On Religion, Politics and Social Affairs relevant to today.
Parading in Northern Ireland
Dear Sir, It was one year ago that the Grand Master, Edward Stephenson speaking at Rossnowlagh said: “I publicly invite the President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, to join us . . . next year”. I am sure that inquisitive people like myself would like to know the answer to three questions: Was there an official request
Read moreIrish Times 14th July 2015 Persistent bad behaviour undermines unionism and Orangeism Grand Orange Lodge has tried ‘every trick in the book’ to undermine Parades Commission Believe it or not, this year marks the 20th anniversary of what has become known as “Drumcree”. It was the stopping of the return parade from morning prayer at Drumcree parish church on
Read moreI am sure that many from the unionist community were, like myself, distraught to hear the call of the Grand Master, Edward Stephenson, yesterday to: “encourage Orange brethren and our supporters to demonstrate their displeasure at the current situation by holding peaceful and legal protests across Northern Ireland, at times and locations of their choosing, over the coming weeks.” Have the
Read moreDear Sir, I am somewhat confused by the “much ado about nothing’ in relation to the ‘Ardoyne Panel’. This Panel was announced by the Secretary of State in October 2014 to report in January 2015. No members of the Panel were appointed at that time. The November edition of the Orange Standard proclaimed that “Rank and file members of the
Read moreIt was not just the IRA who murdered Protestants but also the UDA and the UVF, writes Brian Kennaway The problems currently facing the Orange institution in Northern Ireland are nothing new. Indeed if anything it is a replay of the conflicts of the recent past like Drumcree. Unfortunately, for those, like me, from the Orange and unionist community, we have been very
Read moreCountry cousins can teach city’s brethren a real lesson The authentic Orange Order tradition still exists, but you have to travel far from the cockpit of north Belfast to find it,says Brian Kennaway When the original Orange Society was formed in James Sloan’s house in Loughgall, County Armagh in 1795, the object of this new Society, later to be
Read moreNORTHERN IRELAND 4 July 2014 Last updated at 11:40 Brian Kennaway calls unionist walkout ‘dereliction of duty’ Brian Kennaway said the walkout by unionists was “a dereliction of duty’ The walkout by unionists from talks on parades, flags and the past was a dereliction of duty, a former Orange Order chaplain and Parades Commission member has said. Unionists left the Stormont talks
Read moreResolving the Parading Conflict Having joined the Orange Institution in 1964 and served on the Parades Commission 2011-2013, I believe that I can offer an analysis of the parading conflict in Northern Ireland. A number of groups have an influence and can make a positive contribution to resolving this conflict if they step up to the mark. POLITICS Politics in
Read moreBruising reality of street politics Lest we forget the conflict over parading in a public place is not a recent problem. It has been the source of conflict in Ireland over many years, with those who parade emphasising their civil right to parade the King’s/Queen’s highway and others emphasising their right to oppose such parades. It is therefore at worst
Read moreOrange forebears had more respect Dear Sir, As one who in the 1960’s walked with my Lodge past St. Patrick’s Church in Donegall Street, when as a matter of course all the bands stopped playing, may I draw the attention of those parading to some important facts. 1. When St. Patrick’s was built in the early years of the nineteenth
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