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Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams in new appeal for talks with Orange Order

By Noel McAdam
Friday, 31 July 2009

Gerry Adams has called for talks with the Orange Order — on the basis of mutual respect.

Recent overtures from the Sinn Fein president for a ground-breaking meeting have been roundly rebuffed because his party has not apologised for the IRA murders of Orange members.

But in an open letter in today’s Belfast Telegraph, Mr Adams argues: “I have never glorified IRA killings. I (have) expressed my sincere regrets for the deaths and injuries caused by republicans. I do so again. This includes members of loyal institutions.”

Yet he also points out that Order parades using loyalist paramilitary or ‘kick the Pope’ bands with UVF flags and bannerettes is “hardly indicative of a manifestation of respect or Christian forbearance”.

The letter, to Grand Secretary Drew Nelson, quotes from the King James version of the New Testament and the passage from St Matthew’s gospel to “cast out the beam of thine own eye (before) the mote of thy brother’s eye”.

And he argues: “...you declare your organisation to be Christ-centred, Bible-based and Church-grounded. As a Christian institution in 1998 you agreed with the heads of the main Protestant Churches that you ‘cannot refuse to talk to anyone made in the image of God’.

“How do these declarations reconcile with your continued refusal to meet with Sinn F�in?”

The West Belfast MP said if the Orange Order seeks “respect” from others “then it in turn must respect the views of those who differ from them and address their concerns in a peaceful and dignified way”.

In relation to meeting Sinn Fein, Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters said recent political developments illustrated it was wiser to “never say never”, but later clarified there were no plans for a meeting in the foreseeable future.

But Mr Nelson said there was no prospect of a meeting until Sinn Fein apologises for the murderS of Orange members by the IRA, and also confirmed that the Portadown District officers were censured for holding talks with Mr Adams over the Drumcree parade dispute. An Order spokesman said they did not want to issue an immediate response to Mr Adams’ latest appeal.

Adams’ letter in full, Page 28

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35 Comments

The Orange Order is rotten to the core ,their hatred for Catholicism is what binds them,without this hatred there would be no Orange Order and Gerry Adams ,the great appeaser along with Gerry Kelly know this,they are playing politics.The Orange Order would never be tolerated in a normal civilised society,show me another precedent in Europe and I will eat my words.

Posted by mik | 02.08.09, 09:23 GMT

The Orange Order may have contained members of Protestant paramilitaries but the organisation never organised,planned and carried out massacres of innocent Protestants such as Enniskillen Rememberance Day,Shankill Fish Shop,Darkley Gospel Hall.

Posted by Stevie | 01.08.09, 14:44 GMT

No change there form the OO. Was any expected?? Why am I , or anyone else for that matter, bothered to respond????

Posted by Terence | 01.08.09, 01:34 GMT

The OO or zero zero, will never ever leave the stone age. Don't expect any progress from them.

Posted by Charlie | 31.07.09, 22:23 GMT

gerry is an extremely effective leader............ hold out your hand to the 'opposition' and expose their TRUE colours, under the spotlight.

interesting tactic to prove a point to the OUTSIDE world........

Posted by seymour gloom | 31.07.09, 22:22 GMT

Christianity is a concept alien to the Orange Order and to most Republicans for that matter. Really, what would Christ say were he around to see what is going on between his ostensible followers in Northern Ireland.

They say they believe, but they follow not a word. Love, tolerance, forgiveness, respect? I wonder what is the Orders position on the parable about the Good Samaritain? Doesn't apply to us? Most probably, after all never let the facts get in the way of a bit of triumphalism right? Let's not kid ourselves, Christianity doesn't exist on either side in NI, save a small minority here and there.

Honestly, looking at Northern Ireland, it's embarrasing. If one side doesn't want you in their area, accept it, stay where you're wanted, end of story. The attitude of "He won't say he's sorry so I won't talk to him" is beyond juvenile. I mean seriously, are you all 6 year old children?

I'm just happy that in the South we aren't saddled with such idiotic problems.

Posted by Jean-Jacques Eireannach | 31.07.09, 22:06 GMT

To all the bellyachers:

Instead of arguing about the past, how about talking about the future? How about talking about a society free from bigotry and fear? And no, I just don't mean "the other side", I mean you as well!

Try spending 1/10 of the energy that you spend on hate on instead making a better society for all.

What's past is past. No-one can change it. Only the future can be changed. But that requires moral courage. Fitt, Adams and Paisley have shown it. What about the rest of you?

Posted by Sam the man | 31.07.09, 21:45 GMT

It's time for the OO to demonstrate some leadership for a change. You keep talking the Biblical talk; well, it's time to walk the Biblical walk.

And those of you who call them mindless bigots aren't exactly helping, are you?

Making peace and hurling insults generally don't go hand-in-hand.

Posted by Sam the man | 31.07.09, 21:38 GMT

Menbers from that Order are banned from entering Catholic churches. Do you expect them to have a meeting with Sinn Fein!

Posted by Lars | 31.07.09, 18:50 GMT

get real, you could cut the sectarianism with a knife in your comment. Who cares who lives or lived in an area - its NOW mainly a catholic area. If you want to be pedantic then sure areas such as sandy row were at one stage totally catholic, totally irish - this was before our country was INVADED.

Samuel, +1 - as an exorangeman your word should be acknowledged.

Posted by Common sense | 31.07.09, 18:50 GMT

Samuel,

The OO never had a terrorist campaign mate and a strategy to kill thousands. OO never waged 30 years of genocide in and around border areas!

OO does not hate Catholics. They should make no apology in protecting the future of thier faith from a pervasive, intrusive unwelcoming and wrong religion.

Posted by kenny | 31.07.09, 18:05 GMT

Andrea says 'orange order=racism=sectarian=no respect' Funny that at the parade i was at, there were quite a few coloured members walking. I have yet to see black GAA players though...

Posted by W | 31.07.09, 17:25 GMT

Sean, Co Down

The GAA is also an exclusive organisation.

Let's have respect for all traditions in Northern Ireland.

Posted by Tigger | 31.07.09, 17:06 GMT

Reconciliation is the only way forward. The Order should speak to Adams.

Posted by matt | 31.07.09, 16:17 GMT

sean from co down

Areas such as Ardoyne, lower Ormeau, Whitewell are Catholic only because the Protestants were forced out. The parade at Ardoyne shop fronts is actually closer to the Protestant houses of Twaddell than any Catholic house in Ardoyne unless you include Mountainview where again Protestants were forced to leave.
As for your comment about the church, for 30 years it let people murder and then confess to priests, absolved of their sins they were free to murder again and again.

Posted by get real | 31.07.09, 16:03 GMT

Away and march around your own doors...nuff said.

Posted by Chris | 31.07.09, 16:03 GMT

The Orange Order should first apologize for its role in fostering hatred of Roman Catholics, and of fostering sectarianism and bigotry. That may not be the central aim of the organization but that is the reality. This in turn has prompted hundreds to join the ranks of terrorist groups like the UDA/UVF/LVF etc. and this fact is attested to given the number of Orangemen who served time for terrorist offenses.

Repent for your sins in the name of Jesus!

ex-Orangeman become a true CHRISTIAN, Castlewellan, UK

Posted by Samuel | 31.07.09, 15:57 GMT

Maybe if Gerry apologises for the IRA campaign and not just regret it we may get somewhere. Instead of somehow trying to justify it. Gerry may then find many others wishing to speak to him.
This is even more significant given the other story today in BT. The Claudy bombing.
How can you not apologise for that????

The loyalists if I can remember apologised for their actions. Republicans should do the same.

If this happens then the OO should engage and listen to what he has to say and look at taking flags down, certan songs played etc when walking through these contentious areas.

Posted by kenny | 31.07.09, 15:50 GMT

Why waste time talking. Neither side will pay much attention to what the other side says or thinks.
Makes for a more interesting July every year. Bring on Orangefest 2010, you know that unilateral, one dimensional all-inclusive show.
Brilliant.

Posted by HC | 31.07.09, 15:41 GMT