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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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