On Religion, Politics and Social Affairs relevant to today.
Time for Loyal Orders to Change If Drumcree is a microcosm of the situation in Northern Ireland then, we had better face up to reality. In particular we had better face up to the reality of the two other ‘D’ words which have been profiled in the parades dispute in the past, and learn from that past. Dungiven may mean
Read moreTIME FOR THE ORDER TO TALK The future of the Orange Order – “the time has come to abandon policies which have failed to deliver” By Rev Brian Kennaway, former Convenor, Education Committee, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. If what Robin Eames said on May 18, 1999 is true – that “Drumcree is a cameo of the Northern Ireland situation”
Read more“Drumcree: The Orange Order’s Last Stand” by Chris Ryder & Vincent Kearney Published by Methuen 2001 Price £12.99 The annual Drumcree Stand-off is, among other things, totally incomprehensible to many within the Catholic tradition. For many, this book will I believe will go some way to help to explain, but not defend, the divisions which run deep in this Mid-Ulster
Read moreRITE & REASON Speaking at the recent meeting of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, John Richardson a member of the Orange Order said, “The Egyptians had their plagues, the Church of Ireland has its Drumcree”. The Church of Ireland Archbishop, Robin Eames, makes reference to Drumcree as his ‘Calvary’, which I am sure should not be interpreted
Read moreIrish Times Letters to the Editor Dear Sir, My admiration for people who see things which others fail to see, is only surpassed by my admiration for those who see things from the perspective of others. On that basis my admiration for Kevin Myers knows no bounds. In his opinion piece on April 24th, he deserves my double admiration for
Read moreREPRESENTATION TO THE SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE GRAND ORANGE LODGE OF IRELAND Re: engagement Parades Commission and Nationalist Residents’ groups INTRODUCTION The honourable Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, Mr. Robert Saulters, County Grand Masters, County Officers, District Masters, District Officers and members, I wish to thank you for your willingness to receive from me this written
Read moreWhy the Orange Order may wither away The core values of the Orange Order are fraternity, religious piety and civil and religious liberty, but some Orangemen have not lived up to them in recent years, leaving the Order in disarray over its future, writes the Rev Brian Kennaway. Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, two years ago, on 15th July 1998,
Read moreTime to go back to basics “That’s the Twelfth over for another year”, is a common expression of Orangemen at the conclusion of the Twelfth evening. For many, and I believe the vast majority of the orange constituency, it is their hope and prayer that the violence, bitterness and intolerance which has marked the Twelfth period will not only be
Read moreIt’s time for the decent Orangeman to be heard For many the events of recent day have no doubt brought to mind Karl Marx’s dictum, “. . . history repeats itself the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce “. Here we have it yet again. The same language in the press as in previous years, as leader
Read moreWhere Now ? The Orange Institution’s often proclaimed Christian principles are being brought into question by the events surrounding the protest at Drumcree. While all Orangemen would support the right of Portadown District to complete their traditional walk home from Morning Prayer at Drumcree Parish Church, multitudes are distressed by the violence accompanying the protest. These shameful events witnessed on
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