Comments of Rev Brian Kennaway
On Religion, Politics and Social Affairs relevant to today.
Parading in Northern Ireland
Dear 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
Read moreOrangemen more closely bound in country than town – Parades Commissioner by Rev Brian Kennaway After the Twelfth it was said that it was a ‘Tale of Two Cities’, referring to Londonderry and Belfast, contrasting the agreed parade and family atmosphere of Londonderry to the contention and violence in parts of Belfast. Charles Dickens began his classic novel ‘A Tale
Read moreDear Sir, I found the interview with the Deputy First Minister (19th August) most intriguing, particularly his statement that he could not fathom “why the ‘leaders’ of the Orange Order are not willing to meet with the Sinn Fein ‘leadership’.” In June 2005 the ‘leaders’ of the Order in Belfast met with the ‘leadership’ of Sinn Fein in West Belfast
Read moreOrange Order must adhere to Christian ethos It is very unusual to say the least that two books on the Orange Order, directed to different audiences, should appear within weeks of each other. Eric Kaufmann’s The Orange Order: A Contemporary Northern Irish History is an academic study while Mervyn Jess’s The Orange Order is a popular production in journalist style.
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