12th
July 2006 Resolutions
THE FAITH: The basis of our Orange Institution is
the Christian Faith with its emphasis on the teachings of
the Lord Jesus Christ and his word and the beliefs and practices
of Christ and the Protestant Reformers.
Everything we think and do should be governed by our faith
in Jesus Christ with character and conduct evidence of that
faith. Nothing matters as much as a man's relationship with
God, and nothing affects his life more than that faith in
Jesus whose love of God and of His fellowmen set the example
in how we should live to be worthy of His name.
To be a true Orangeman is to be a committed Christian. Anything
we say or do that contradicts this commitment to Christ our
Lord and Saviour, brings discredit on ourselves; has a bad
effect on our brotherhood and lessens its value in the community
of which we are a part.
In these days when the Christian Faith is devalued, ignored
and attacked we have to recognise that it is absolutely necessary
that we as Orangemen set such an example in Christian living
that people see in us the strength and benefit of faith, and
the weaknesses and inadequacies of selfish secularism.
Too often the charge is made that we fall far short of those
attributes which were those of Jesus, among them a tolerance
of attitudes and actions condemned by Him and by the aims
and aspirations of Orangeism from its beginnings.
We are required by who we are to be a credit to Christ and
the Christianity which shows in that exemplary behaviour which
makes us recognisable as His men.
Our resolution then is to be Orangemen true to our faith
and determined to keep the vows and promises made at our initiation
to the brotherhood.
LOYALTY: That we, the Orangemen assembled at
..in
commemoration of the 316th Anniversary of the Battle of the
Boyne do hereby reaffirm our devotion and loyalty to the Throne
and Person of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and Her other Realms, Defender of the Faith. We congratulate
Her Majesty on her 80th birthday this year.
We are mindful this year of the 90th anniversary of the Battle
of the Somme in 1916, and reflect on the many thousands of
lost and broken lives which came about during that battle.
The loyalty of Ulster at that time was such that the 36th
Ulster Division was raised to fight for King and Country,
doing so with the greatest courage and valour on the 1st of
July 1916 and at other times throughout the Great War. The
heroism of the Ulster Division cost a terrible price, with
5,500 men wounded or killed in the first two days of the Battle.
At home the news of loved ones lost in action brought heartbreak
to many families. We pledge ourselves to remember those who
gave their lives and to hold their memory for future generations,
so that their loyalty, courage and sacrifice will never be
forgotten.
The loyalty of Orangemen across the British Empire should
not be forgotten either, since brethren from Australia, New
Zealand, Canada, England and Scotland were among those who
served with honour, many of them failing to return to their
homes, their loved ones and the lodges from which they had
come. We would encourage continued efforts to ensure that
those soldiers from what is now the Republic of Ireland, who
similarly served with honour in the 10th, 16th and 36th Divisions
and other units, and whose memories have for too long been
neglected, are not forgotten, and we commend the Irish Postal
Service for issuing a stamp commemorating this notable anniversary.
THE STATE: Orangemen, with other unionists, fully
support the Union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Direct Rule is not a satisfactory way to govern Northern
Ireland within that Union. The people of Northern Ireland
have the right to be governed on the same democratic principles
as the rest of the people of the Kingdom. As a result of Direct
Rule many Northern Ireland Office decisions are dictatorial
and we fear for the consequences on the well being of our
people and our children. There are crises in education, health,
water, policing and other areas which must be addressed.
Any future devolved government must be based on proper democratic
principles and must not include anyone who does not subscribe
to those principles in both word and deed.
As Orangemen we want a peaceful society in which people can
live happily together regardless of creed, class, colour or
race.
Our slogan remains, "Civil and religious liberty for
all: special privileges for none". The Loyal Orders have
suffered numerous attacks on our halls, parades and commemorations
on a prolonged basis, but we are determined to continue our
rightful witness for our faith and culture. We continue to
oppose the unjust and discredited Parades Commission and call
for its disbandment as a priority.
At a time when the Blair Government and the Bush Administration
seek to combat terrorism and install democracy in diverse
countries; Northern Ireland, continues to suffer a democratic
deficit.
The imposed choice before the people is whether to include
terrorist spokespeople in government or continue the charade
of Direct Rule with illegal input by Dublin Ministers in the
internal affairs of Northern Ireland.
When Magna Carta has been chosen as the most significant
date in British History, Orangemen call upon Northern Ireland
people to unite to throw off the shackles of terrorism and
urge both Westminster and Washington to extend to us the right
of the people to hire and fire their governor.
Back to Resolutions Index
|