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There is currently a campaign called 'One Small Step' which
encourages people to consider those who do not share their
heritage and cultural background. Advocating that we all take
'one small step' are a distinguished group of well-known Ulster
people.
Reference to the campaign was made at the St. Patrick's commemoration
service in Ballymena in March, when Orange brethren assembled
for the event, under the auspices of L.O.L. No. 1123 in the
town.
Rev. Canon Lloyd, who admitted that years ago when he had
first come to Ballymena from the south of Ireland, he had
not felt entirely 'at home' at the Orange Somme commemoration.
As the years progressed he had come to know and appreciate
more about the Institution, he told the congregation.
That Canon Lloyd was able to challenge his congregation that
day in relation to considering how they might take 'one small
step' in reconciling those of a different outlook was a healthy
thing. It underlines the essential tenants of Orangeism and
Protestantism: civil and religious liberty, the liberty to
express views and to question. Of course, for some, that one
small step was a bridge too far.
The organisers of the campaign would be well advised to concentrate
on republicanism, which has no wish to move forward or allow
others to move forward.
Orangemen were due to take part in a major cultural parade
through Cork City as part of the city's 2005 Capital of Cultural
festivities. The Grand Lodge accepted an invitation from the
organisers and willingly prepared to have a representation
which included Conlig Fife and Drum Group, Skeogh Flute Band,
St. Patrick's Church Temperance lodge members and Cross of
St. Patrick LO.L. members as well as several from lodges marking
anniversary years.
The Orange group would have been dignified and would have
been proud to have taken part in the St. Patrick's Day parade.
They would have offered a cultural window for people not familiar
with the Orange tradition, and they would have done so in
exemplary fashion.
Their presence would have given Cork people the opportunity
to see what Orangemen looked like, and to have understood
that they were just ordinary people with an interest in their
culture and heritage.
A concert featuring the excellent musical talents of the
lambeg and fifers and the Skeogh Flute Band would have been
our St. Patrick's Day present to the Lord Mayor and people
of Cork.
It was hoped that there would have been representation from
the counties of Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim at the
event.
But as events progressed, and following a visit to Belfast
by some of those involved on the southern side (Belfast being
due to stage part two of the Lagan to the Lee festival next
year), it became clear that some in Cork were unhappy.
It was questioned, for example, as to whether the Orangemen
would be wearing sashes when they took part. Then, despite,
assurances that all was well, it became clear that matters
had taken a rather more sinister turn.
Sinn Fein threatened protest and began a campaign against
the Orange involvement. Reading between the lines of what
was said, it was clear there was going to be a focused protest
by 'concerned residents' from near and far. A head of steam
built up and we asked for an assurance from the organisers
that the safety of our Orange family taking part was not in
jeopardy.
Such assurance the organisers were not able to give and the
result was that the efforts of those planning to take part
were lost. It was heartening for Grand Lodge officers to receive
messages of support from ordinary people in Cork and elsewhere
in the south. Those open-minded people believed it would have
been a positive gesture for the Orange to take part in Cork
2005 and for the city to have welcomed them.
Sadly, that small gesture in Cork as part of an international
cultural event was just too much for Sinn Fein to contemplate.
The rest of us may be trying to move on. But it seems for
Sinn Fein progress can only occur if we give up our heritage,
tradition and ethos. That's fascism and it has no place in
the modern world.
Sadly, the lesson of Cork 2005 is that taking that one small
step seems a bridge too far for some.
A social event hosted by the Grand Master, Worshipful Brother
Robert Saulters, brought together on March 17 lodges and musicians
who had been prepared to represent the Order at the Cork capital
of culture events in March.
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