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Orangemen marching to tune of compromise
Attacks on the Orange parading tradition strike at the core of the Protestant identity. They are unlikely to encourage a 'shared future' any time soon, argues David Hume
Monday, 8 February 2010
Their oldest son is a student at a Reformed Theological College and they want to see the Orange parades at first hand. The father, Edward, emailed to see if someone could be their guide as they want to know all about the parade.
Last year the Northern Ireland Tourist Board sent an observer to the Twelfth in Bangor and she was surprised to bump into a couple from Ypres, Belgium.
The reason they were at the Twelfth was because they had seen Orangemen at First World War commemorations and had decided to come over to see the lodges on parade. These are examples, but they are not isolated. More and more tourists are including the Twelfth as part of their plans when visiting this part of the world.
These tourists mean bed nights, revenue in restaurants and cafes, sales in gift shops and maybe even the odd postcard being sent.
I believe that the Twelfth has much to offer the overall Northern Ireland economy - and I know that our members are supportive of that. The Orange Order has developed its Twelfth Tourist Flagship programme to assist with the cultural tourism potential of Northern Ireland and is pleased to be working with the tourist authorities in this regard.
The parading tradition, on which the Twelfth rests, is one which dates back well into the 18th century.
The first parade by the Orange Order was in July 1796. Prior to that there were parades in July by organisations such as the Boyne Societies.
And the tradition of public parading was maintained by organisations as diverse as the Irish Volunteers in the 1770s, the Freemasons until the 19th century, the Good Templars, which was a temperance organisation which had banners, regalia and parades until the 1930s, and others.
Ironically, perhaps, the two main fraternities in Northern Ireland which still express their culture through parading are the Orange Order and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
People do not have to share the values or ethos of either to appreciate the heritage and legacy which they portray and the colour which they bring. The Northern Ireland of the future must be able to accommodate both such traditions and respect that those involved hold dear to belief systems.
That one is Protestant and the other Roman Catholic merely underlines who as a people we are and the fact that our belief structures have a strong moral ethos and basis to them.
While there are some areas where there are community tensions over parades, thousands of them pass off without any difficulties. Interestingly enough, our estimate that around 400,000 to 500,000 people participate in, or spectate at, our Twelfth parades highlights that more people do so than turned out to vote for unionist parties (our natural constituency) at the last European election (237,436).
As far as the Orange tradition is concerned, our parades are about witness for our faith and our culture. They are not, and should not, be about 'coat-trailing' or antagonising anyone. Those on parade are often literally following in the footsteps of their fathers and grandfathers - a survey by Salford University showing recently that 49.4% of our members join for family reasons.
We all know that there is a right to public assembly and parades. There is also a responsibility by those on parade and anyone unhappy with them to ensure that, whatever the opposing viewpoints, they express ourselves responsibly, peacefully and with respect. Across the world today there are people suffering hunger and pain far greater than the pain which would allow an Orange parade to pass along the Garvaghy Road.
Part of the understanding, which the wider community not involved in Orangeism needs to have, surrounds why the Order parades, and what motivates its members.
The University of Salford survey showed that 17% of members joined because of their religious viewpoint and 10% cited heritage and identity. The members express civic responsibility, often through involvement in community groups and by casting their votes at election times.
When asked what they saw as the main role of the Order, 49% said that they believed it had a cultural role and 45% cited a religious role. More of the members questioned - 2.5% - saw it as having a social role than a political one.
The Orange Lodge is the cement which binds a diverse range of people together. We have a wide spectrum of occupations and backgrounds in our Order and that gives us enormous strength and a sense of fraternity.
The Orange Order is the organisation which brings together Protestants from all churches and occupations. It is an umbrella which has been a unifying factor through years of tensions and turbulence.
We know that parades in the past have caused difficulties, but believe these difficulties were engineered by republicans for political ends. It would be hoped that, as far as mainstream republicanism is concerned, those days have passed.
When historical analysis takes place of our era, it may well conclude that the Orange Order prevented our society from slipping further into an abyss. One young Orangeman tells the story of how after his father was murdered he could have easily joined the paramilitaries and sought retribution. Instead of joining the paramilitaries he joined the Orange Order and turned his back on the idea of violence.
More than 330 Orangemen are on the roll of honour of those murdered by republican terrorists.
Whenever there is difficulty with one of our parades, the members feel that, once again, they are the innocent victims of a campaign which would not end with parades being barred.
We do not parade to antagonise. We parade to celebrate who we are and what we believe.
Parading is part of us. Attacking our parades strikes at the core of the Protestant community and is unlikely to bring a shared future whatever way you look at it.
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Comments
29 Comments
I see where The Empire State Building, The CN Tower in Toronto, Sydney Opera House and The London Eye among other iconic global buildings will all be highlighted in GREEN this coming St. Patrick's Day.
This of course is a tribute to our great Irish nation, to our sense of fun and celebration, to our genuine warm hearted friendliness, openness and tolerance - not to mention our indomitable spirit from people everywhere (well, except for some cave men in parts of NI).
Perhaps the OO should ask for the same on the 12th. - in luminous orange of course. The global response would be interesting. How about it lads ?
Posted by Fair Play | 09.02.10, 21:40 GMT
All good points and diverting a few parades from areas where residents feel victimized would allow everyone to come to appreciate what is stated here - culture cannot and should not be rammed down people's throats
Posted by democrat | 09.02.10, 21:00 GMT
These socalled parades are of only one color which are used as a praganda tool on all colors of Northern Ireland. It is long over due to make any parade in Northern Ireland for all to be a part of and to enjoy by all.
Posted by phl | 09.02.10, 17:04 GMT
No-one, other than the most bigoted republican, wants to see the Orange Order precluded from celebrating their culture or their history. No-one, other than the most bigoted Orangeman, wants to see Orange parades traipsing through nationalist areas. And no-one, other than a very few politicians, want to see the Assembly perish because of this issue. Most of us, on both sides, just do not care. Sort it out! Move on!
Posted by Bongo | 09.02.10, 16:10 GMT
Because Billy, it's "culture" (sic).
The Orange Order was founded in 1795 to remind Catholics (and funnily enough Presbyterians also who were then banned from membership) who was in control. Not a jot has changed.
They preach equality and culture but it's little more than a cover for them to do what they've always done - parade through minority areas proclaiming who's boss.
Not anymore.
This is an organization which expels any member who marries a Catholic, or attends any sort of a Catholic service even if it is a friend's funeral - though how many Orangemen have Catholic friends is a matter of debate.
Replace the word Catholic with Jew and it's obvious what a horrendous organization the OO is.
The fact that some proclaim it as "culture" says more about their own shocking paucity of heritage than anything else.
Posted by François Arouet | 09.02.10, 12:39 GMT
Although I have no time for sectarianism, I have two questions.
What would a similar university survey show about Nationalist organisations that march?
Why does the annual OO parade in Donegal consistently pass off peacefully when it is surrounded by nationalist and/or republican communities?
Posted by Tangled Web | 09.02.10, 12:35 GMT
just like to pass on my experiance as a junior member of the orange lodge, not only in northern ireland are our parades attacked we also are,
would also like to comment on the number of orange halls that have been burnt down , the press are quick to condem loyalists and rightly so but lets have a level playing field, one last comment on my last visit to northern ireland i nearly missed my flight because of republican marchers i was detained in the estate by the police for my own safety
Posted by david verdin | 09.02.10, 10:37 GMT
If, as the author claims, The Orange Order has kept people away from 'Loyalist" paramilitaries, why doesn't he mention the many lodges that carry banners and/or use bands that commemorate "loyalist" terrorists?
What about the lodges who march in the annual commemoration march for UVF sectarian murderer Brian Robinson?
What abot the OO members who held up 5 fingers when they passed the Ormeau Road shop where 5 innocent Catholics were murdered?
Why don't the OO so-called "leadership" ever take any action against these people?
Posted by Billy | 09.02.10, 03:38 GMT
Let's not forget that the only reason for the Orange Order's existence is to discriminate against Catholics.
Posted by Priscilla | 08.02.10, 22:46 GMT
I joined the Orange Order at the tender and impressionable age of sixteen. I joined because of cultural and religious identity and I have never looked back. The older, wiser heads of my lodge persuaded me that the road to violence was a rocky one with a dead end. It was the members of my lodge that showed me a more tolerant and educated road to journey along. As I have often said over the years, I might have joined the UDA but with education and sincere instruction from my older lodge members, I joined the UDR instead and that shaped the rest of my life for which I will ever be thankful. I'm still serving in the Army today and I'm proud of my cultural history and service.
There will always be opponents to the Loyal Orange Institution and all things Protestant and British but we have always survived.
Posted by lechef66 | 08.02.10, 20:57 GMT
I don't have a problem with an organisation that wants to uphold protestant values or a British identity and heritage. The problem is the anti-catholic provisions in the Orange rule book, the anti-catholic culture and the partisan political posturing that goes with it. These things are going to have to go before you can reasonably ask nationalist residents to respect your parades.
Posted by Watcher | 08.02.10, 20:54 GMT
It's a fairly moderate piece but, as it progresses, the author starts to foam at the mouth about republicans.
If the OO wants more people to view their parades I think they need to start at home and make efforts to work with the other tribe on contentious parades. Invite them to participate (I know, shocker!). Talk to them etc. They don't all have horns in their heads. If you can't do this or it churns your stomach, fine. Just stop whining about it.
The choice is yours: You can make the OO a major tourist attraction or you can cater to the bigots.
Posted by ThierryMcCheat | 08.02.10, 20:33 GMT
What's wrong with being a Protestant?
Those who compalin about us are showing their own bigotry!!!!!
Posted by Proud to be a Prod | 08.02.10, 20:27 GMT
Orangeism is absolutely not an integral part of Protestant identity, what a preposterous assumption. Where are all those Orange lodges in the United States, Canada, England, Germany or anywhere else Protestants form a large part of the population then? Conspicuous by their absence.
The Orange Order is a sectarian hate group, pure and simple. They have nothing to offer society but hatred and tired battles, interpreted in the most ridiculous manner possible i.e. King Billy fought for religious freedom, even though he brought back the Anglican Ascendancy. He fought the Pope even tho he was supported by him etc.
When they stop expelling their members for attending Catholic funerals or marrying Catholics then perhaps one can begin to view them in a different light.
Until then however they are nothing but a reminder of a painful past and must at all costs not be allowed to parade their hatred where they're not wanted.
Shame on those who participate in this horrific organization.
Posted by John Q. Public | 08.02.10, 18:32 GMT
Catholics murder and kill, and attack marchers. Protestants march. That is the fundamental difference.
Posted by John | 08.02.10, 17:22 GMT
more people leave the north go on holiday during july i hear people going to Ireland for st patricks never for orange marches that cause tension drunken louts shouting abuse no more marches
Posted by ray usa | 08.02.10, 16:00 GMT
"We parade to celebrate who we are and what we believe"......... absolutely fine. no problem with that at all. but why do you have to celebrate outside the homes of people who are not who you are, and do not believe what you believe. that, to paraphrase, "is unlikely to bring a shared future whatever way you look at it".
Posted by fed up | 08.02.10, 15:54 GMT
On a recent Twelfth of July I happened to read George Best's autobiography "Blessed". In that book, Best (himself an Orangeman) recognises that 'provocation' is seen as the raison d'etre of Orange marches. "I'm prepared to admit", he states, "that that's what they are---provocation."
On that same day the BBC's Dennis Murray told viewers of BBC World: "To the Protestant community this (Orange marches) is simply a celebration of Protestant culture."
And both Best and Murray got it absolutely right.
Posted by Gearoid | 08.02.10, 15:16 GMT
the orange order halls should hold a public supper for the republicans. why not joint st. pats and orange order parades. they could go into all the neighborhoods!
Posted by bob | 08.02.10, 14:26 GMT
Sorry, Actions, can you please provide examples when you generalise. Being not affiliated to any organisation and a person who does not march for anything I fail to see how I am a hypocrite.
What with nearly 4,000 marches by the Loyal Orders during the year, I think I have every right to critcise them.
Could you confirm how many Nationalist parades there are every year. You could include the Irish National Foresters to beef up your calculations. They abide by the Parades Commission too.
Posted by Ulysses32 | 08.02.10, 13:22 GMT
29 Comments