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What a truly glorious 'Twelfth' this year's marvellous Battle
of the Boyne celebrations turned out to be. There have been
many great Twelfth demonstrations down the years, but the
2005 Orange parades in Northern Ireland will join the list
of the most impressive.
The weather was terrific, crowds turned out in massive numbers,
and the sight of some 70,000 Orangemen and Orangewomen on
parade, accompanied by hundreds of bands, was awesome.
The great banners, with their colourful scenes of important
Protestant and British historical events made for a memorable
spectacle.
The friendly and light-hearted rivalry between Belfast and
Armagh counties as to which hosted the largest demonstration,
was only a side issue.
The truth was that Orange Ulster turned out in massive numbers
to give the answer to those who consistently claim that the
Institution which has served Irish Protestants so well is
in decline.
The huge numbers of brethren and sisters, many of them young
recently initiated members, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt
that Orangeism is on the march.
There was a new-found confidence, and a 'feel good' factor
throughout the ranks of those who marched in 18 demonstrations
throughout Northern Ireland on the Twelfth.
The record-breaking crowds of spectators who lined the pavements
of cities, towns and villages, proved that the Orange Order
enjoys the support and backing of the overwhelming majority
of Protestant people.
This was not a provocative parade of sectarianism, but a
cheerful, enjoyable, happy and well marshalled display of
loyalty to the Crown and to the Protestant faith.
It was also a declaration of adherence to the culture of
a Protestant people who have faced many trials and tribulations
down the years, but have emerged quietly victorious, and resolved
to continue to witness for their faith and their loyalty in
this part of Ireland.
There were more visitors from Britain and overseas than ever
before watching the parades, and many of those looking on
from the sidelines belong to the recent ethnic peoples who
have settled in Northern Ireland.
Almost without exception these people expressed enjoyment
at the spectacle of marching men, and they found nothing to
cause fear or apprehension.
The Orange Order is truly on the march, and its ranks have
been boosted by many new members. That was the message of
this year's Twelfth, and it is the best tonic that the often
maligned loyal people of Northern Ireland could have had.
The Order remains a hugely important force in the affairs
of Northern Ireland, and the size of the turnout, and those
supporting the parades, proves that it enjoys the grassroots
support which is so vital to any organisation.
The Order, has received a massive vote of confidence from
the population which provides its membership, and it must
build on that and continue to promote the Christian and Reformed
principles which are under so much threat in an increasingly
secular and materialistic society.
The Order will continue to oppose the errors of the Roman
Catholic Church, and it must also give its full support to
the Protestant Churches and people who seek to resist the
inroads to the traditional Sunday day of worship, and to stand
firm against shopping, sport and drinking on the Lord's Day.
In an era when many traditional societies and organisations
struggle to maintain their existence, it is truly remarkable
that the Orange Order can produce such a spectacular as this
year's Twelfth, and that above all is the message of this
memorable demonstration of loyalty.
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