The South Derry twelfth demonstration in Ballyronan welcomed
an American contingent to their celebrations on Monday as
Brother Rev. Dr. Paul Zahl and 20 of his fellow American Orangemen
joined the parade.
The Americans who belong to L.O.L. No. 1003 Sons of William
in Birmingham, Alabama thanked their fellow brethren for the
invitation to attend and explained that for many it was their
first twelfth in Ulster, and it had proved to be everything
they expected it to be.
Dr. Paul Zahl, Dean of the Cathedral Anglican Church in Alabama
was invited to give an address in the field, and in this address
he looked at some very interesting points. He explained why
as a Lodge they decided to come to the twelfth celebration,
he said, "As Protestant Christians we link hands with
the people of Ulster at this demonstration, and as Americans
we resonate the Orange and religious liberation that the people
of Ulster hold".
In his address Dr. Zahl referred to the formation of the
land of America, he explained that in fact the Ulster people
were key in the birth of the new land of America. He commented
on the fact that between 30 and 40 per cent of the people
who signed the American Declaration where Ulster Protestants.
The American visitor also looked at the negative image that
Protestant culture and the land of Ulster so often get in
the media throughout the world. From this he stressed that
the American Lodges main aim was to eradicate this image and
show the American people what the Protestant tradition has
to offer.
Dr. Zahl commented on consumerism in the modern world especially
in Britain and America, yet he said he felt that Ulster was
the exception. He explained: "Reformed Christianity in
Ulster provides hope for secular Britain."
In his love for Protestantism Dr. Zahl referred to one of
the banners often carried by Lodges which illustrates a Bible
and and candle, he explained that this candle of Christianity
could well be the secret of greatness in the Ulster Protestant
tradition.
He concluded by thanking once again the Ballyronan Brethren
for their invitation and explained that he hoped to be back
to enjoy the celebrations again in the near future.
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