12th
July 1997 Resolutions
THE FAITH: The Orange Institution is a Christian
organisation.
As Orangemen our trust is in God and our faith and dependence
is in Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Lord of mankind. Our purpose
is to maintain the Christian faith by word and deed; to propagate
and defend that faith which we have received from the Church
of the New Testament through the faithfulness of the Protestant
Reformers. It is Christ-centred, Bible-based, Church-grounded.
By it we are moulded in character and conduct.
We proclaim "Civil and religious liberty for all; special
privileges for none". We do not deny to others their
civil and religious liberties; we expect the same tolerance
from them. Our brotherhood has been built on loyalty to the
faith; on discipline, unity and co-operation, on respect for
one another. This is the ideal. The real is sometimes different,
and less than credible when the bonds of brotherhood are broken.
The Institution suffers when Brethren are not true to the
obligations, vows and promises of their initiation. Those
who bring it into disrepute by their sins of omission and
commission are to be condemned. Sincerity, honesty, decency
and tolerance are essentials in Orangeism.
We resolve to restore those bonds that bind us together;
to speak with one voice on the things that concern us and
all those whose aims and aspirations we share.
We shall be strong for truth, for peace, for the making of
a good, fair and just society to which we shall contribute
liberally as good citizens.
THE STATE: The Institution remains constant
in its stand for the Union. It joins with those who are determined
to maintain the British connection for the benefits it brings
in every sphere of life.
We hope the new Government will listen to the Unionist majority
and their elected representatives. They must ensure that real
peace is brought to us.
The threat of violence to effect political and constitutional
change must be met with total rejection of all who speak peace
and keep the weapons of war.
Direct Rule was not meant to be a permanent form of government
for Northern Ireland. Our need remains for an administration
elected by and accountable to the people in a form agreed
by the participating parties in a parliament or assembly.
Until that comes about we shall hope for policy changes and
initiatives from the Government to bring improvements in all
our areas of concern.
We resolve to do all we can to make this country peaceful
and prosperous. We call on all who share this province to
make their contribution to those ends.
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