Normally a comment by a Southern Irish writer on the future
prospects of the Orange Order would hardly merit a second
thought, writes 'Observer'.
So there is a temptation to dismiss warnings of "doom
for the Orange Order" attributed to leading Dublin writer
and historian Ruth Dudley Edwards out of hand. But Edwards
is one of the few Southern writers to express positive feelings
about the Orange Order, and in recent years, during the height
of the Drumcree controversy, she was spot on in her comments
on Sinn Fein/IRA's plan to demonise the Orange Order. Ruth
Dudley Edwards is one of those few Southerners prepared to
acknowledge that there is a legitimate Orange culture and
one which deserves to exist.
But her remarks reported in the 'Impartial Reporter' on August
7, in which she supported the view of Sam Foster against those
of Jeffrey Donaldson in the current debate within the Ulster
Unionist Party.
Edwards was reported as saying that she supported Sam Foster's
views that the Orange Order "should not be indulging
in politics", and went on to claim that the Orange Order's
involvement in Unionist politics is "ill-judged and divisive.
It is helping to destroy both Unionists and Orangeism."
Excuse me, but I have been under the impression since old
enough to understand politics that Unionism and Orangeism
have been strongly linked for over a century. Indeed, if I
am not badly mistaken, it was the Orange Order surely which
was responsible for forming the Ulster Unionist Party. Down
the years Unionist politicians have gone through the ritual
at each General Election of appealing to Orangemen and Orangewomen
to support their candidates.
It was not Orangeism which sought to involve itself in Unionist
politics, but quite the contrary, and no less a distinguished
politician than the late Brian Faulkner, one of the finest
in his profession in these islands, declared that without
involvement in politics, Orangeism in Northern Ireland could
become irrelevant.
He argued with all the force of his considerable oratory
that the Orange Order should continue to be deeply involved
in Unionist politics.
It is only in recent years that this long-standing involvement
has been seriously challenged, mostly by the pro-Trimble Unionists,
and it is no secret that many within that section of the Ulster
Unionist Party would love to break the link.
The jury is still out on that one, and with so many other
problems confronting it at the present time, it is unlikely
that Ulster Unionism will put the possible severance with
the Orange Order high up on its priority list.
One other claim made by Ruth Dudley Edwards at the same meeting
in the Clogher Valley suggests that she is more than a little
out of touch with current events involving the Orange Order.
She is quoted as claiming that "the Orange Order offers
nothing to young people and its membership is rapidly depleting.
Its only hope is to concentrate on its religious and cultural
mission, otherwise Orangeism is doomed."
Unfortunately for Mrs. Edwards she made this comment on the
heels of one of the biggest, most successful Ulster Twelfths
in many years. Newspaper reports, mostly written by non-Orangemen,
referred to record turn-outs and attendances at all Twelfth
venues. At all these places including Markethill and Belfast,
the numbers taking part and watching crowds were back to 1960s
pre-Troubles proportions.
As for her comment about young people, photograhers in the
papers, and pictures on television showed many young men and
women proudly parading in their first Twelfth demonstration!
While sharing the general delight at the massive attendances
at the Orange parades on the Twelfth and the reported record
attendance at Scarva on the Thirteenth, I believe it is an
opportune time for the Loyal Orders to take stock. Grand Lodge
has set an admirable lead in its constant assertions that
Orangemen must be diligent in their adherence to the Scriptures
and their constant attendance at church. Lodges must resist
any temptation to lower their standards by accepting candidates
who fall below these requirements, otherwise they face the
danger of diluting the Christian principles and message of
the Order.
It is also time surely for evangelical Christians who are
not members of the Orange Order to seriously consider whether
it is not time they took the step of becoming members. There
are many supporters of the Orange Order who line the streets
of our cities and towns and watch the parades, also making
a point to attend demonstration Fields.
But what an impact such good Christian folk could have on
the loyal orders if they were to take out membership. They
would be in a position to influence decisions within the Order,
and they would also help strengthen the Orangemen who seek
to hold the line in Northern Ireland against further inroads
into the once great Ulster Sunday.
It is not just Roman Catholicism which presents a threat
to the Reformed Faith these days. Perhaps a far more invidious
and dangerous threat to true Protestantism comes from the
increasingly materialistic and secular society in Northern
Ireland.
Roman Catholicism is reeling from the internal divisions
and the disillusionment of many of the faithful over the revelation
about immorality among numbers of the priesthood. It has enough
domestic problems of its own at the moment without concentrating
its resources on defeating Ulster Protestantism. But materialism
and secularism is different, and it is on the march, with
more and more Sunday trading and sporting events. Shopping
centres are the new temples of worship on Sundays for too
many who would describe themselves as Protestants.
On the sporting scene, golf, cricket, horse racing and many
other events play an increasing role. The Irish League, to
its credit, has resisted calls from some quarters to go down
the same road, but those who make a stand for Sunday to be
a special day have their backs to the wall.
In Northern Ireland recent statistics show that one in three
babies are born out of wedlock - a few years ago it was one
in five - and divorce and separation statistics are appalling.
Many evangelical Christians who could help the Orange Order
make an even firmer stand for the Reformed Faith declined
to take out membership.
The fact that many Protestant churches are either hostile
or indifferent to Orangeism does not help, so evangelical
Protestants who are prepared to stand up and be counted and
join the Order will be helping to defeat the ecumenical trend
and moves towards unity with Rome within their churches.
Ruth Dudley Edwards claims that the Orange Order "offers
nothing to young people", so the onus is on lodges to
prove her, and others making similar claims, that they are
wrong.
Those lodges which are making progress tend to be the ones
who have a varied programme of events throughout the year
- special speakers at meetings, 'twinning' with other lodges,
quizzes, barbecues, outings to places of historic interest,
and many similar things.
There is no reason why lodges cannot be an attraction for
young people, and it helps a lot when young Orangemen and
young Orangewomen are given the chance to serve in high office.
Many Districts now have young committees who produce all
sorts of stimulating ideas - those Districts lacking such
committees at the moment should get their act together.
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