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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