Comments of Rev Brian Kennaway
On Religion, Politics and Social Affairs relevant to today.
Parading in Northern Ireland
Resolving 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
Read moreDear Sir, I was somewhat amazed to read the statement from the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast (B.T. 11/6/14), reference to St. Patrick’s, Donegall Street, which said “Building on the success of last year’s initiative, steps will also be taken to ensure no one on parade will stop outside the chapel”. It was on this same date last year
Read moreTwaddell protesters in Ardoyne had a choice Everyone knows that the choices we make determine our future. This was the case at the beginning of the twentieth century when Ulster men and women chose to oppose Home Rule and later chose to join the Crown Forces to defeat Hitler’s rape of Europe. They were positive choices, which produced a positive
Read moreDear Sir, As we are given to marking anniversaries in this part of the world I wonder how the ‘Orange’ and ‘Black’ will be marking the first anniversary of the TEMPLATE issued on 11th June 2013. Readers may recall that this “Comprehensive Template – St Patrick’s, Donegall Street” undertook: – No part of any parade will stop outside St. Patrick’s.
Read moreGENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND 4th June 2014 Moderator, members of Assembly. I wish to speak in support of Resolution 22a. I joined the Loyal Orange Institution of Ireland in 1964. I did so after much prayer and reflection. I reflected on the core values of the Orange Order as revealed in their written documents, the Qualifications and
Read moreResolving the Parading Conflict A number of groups have an influence and can make a positive contribution to resolving this conflict. ● The conflict over parading and protesting is a societal issue. Politicians need to step up to the mark and reflect the desires of their constituency, not a sectional interest within it. Politicians need to acquaint themselves with the
Read moreDear Madam, I read with some interest the article “Mass rule is ‘destroying the Orange Order’” (24 April) May I point out that the Audit, to which the article refers, has only one reference to the rule which prohibits attendance at Mass – a rule which is kept in the breach! More importantly the Audit makes reference to the bad
Read moreDear Sir, I note that the Haass proposals for a Code of Conduct (all of which are included in the present Code of Conduct of the Parades Commission), are said to “criminalise Orange culture” (BT January 4). Given that the eight-point proposed Code of Conduct reflects basic Christian conduct, could those who make such allegations kindly point out how an
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