Orange Order Grand Master Wor. Bro. Robert Saulters speaking
at the Ballymena Twelfth said that Orangemen must be active
in the faith and the practice of it.
"What we see here today is evidence of that determination
to be and do what is required of us. We are very fortunate
in this Orange Institution to have so many clerics of high
standard.
"There are doubts, of course, of one or two with regards
to the company they keep and of their politics, but we are
a widely-based institution and we do not condemn anyone for
having their own thoughts on any subject.
"No-one can say the Order is not attracting the younger
clergymen.
"It is, and they are a credit to us all and to each
denomination they belong to.
"This institution is the only body that brings together
all who believe in the Reformed evangelical faith. Let us
keep it that way."
Slamming churches unwelcoming to Orangemen, Wor. Bro. Saulters
said they were failing as disciples of Christ.
He said that a 'Christian harvest' is on the way and Orangemen
themselves should stop bemoaning the fact that their colours
may offend some.
Wor. Bro. Saulters accused Ulster Unionist leader, David
Trimble, of being hellbent on political suicide, attempting
to lose party members at an alarming rate.
He said David Trimble is not only attempting to push Northern
Ireland into a union with the south, but he is not even interested
in saving his own party.
He continued: "Being mindful of the concerns of an overwhelming
majority of Unionists, we consider the proposals linked to
the Joint Declaration to represent an affront to the principles
of democracy and justice.
"We oppose the granting of an amnesty to the IRA terrorists
who are fugitives from justice and the role given to the Irish
government in the internal affairs of the Northern Ireland
Assembly.
"We also believe that all British citizens are entitled
to adequate security and consequently we deplore the proposals
to remove all military bases from border areas and to disband
the home services battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.
"We join together in expressing our unequivocal rejection
of the Joint Declaration and we urge our elected representatives
to work together to negotiate a new and better agreement that
is capable of achieving widespread support and consent."
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