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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

Some Clergy Have Blinkered Vision

Article 3 ~ April 2003

When we continue to hear of the refusal of clergy and ministers to allow brethren wearing regalia to worship together in their churches we are aggrieved. The refusal is a rejection of us for reasons totally unreasonable, like our "misconduct or mishandling of Drumcree." Their attitude to something in which Orangemen are the victims of a whipped-up antagonism that prevents them taking a seven-minute walk down Garvaghy Road after their July church service is unfair, unbalanced and a refusal to accept reality. The fact that the Orange Institution was the strongest critic of misconduct in what has been a ridiculous lawless situation disregarded. To judge the Order on the happenings at Drumcree and to ignore its 200-plus years positive contribution to this society is irrational and reprehensible. The contributions of Orangemen to church and state has been acknowledged by perceptive observers of the Ulster scene and who have properly examined the relationships of the churches and the order. The often-voiced cirticisms of Orangemen by some, who have not bothered to acquaint themselves with the history, theology and policies of the Order is incredible when no organisation is more willing to accommodate any who are pursuing a research project on the subject. The transparency of the Orange Institution compares favourably with the secrecy of other organisations, not excluding the churches. We ask only for sensitive and fair treatment when we question the attitudes of clergy and ministers who act selfishly and hurtfully to Orangemen.

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