It’ll probably come as a serious shock to many, but the Orange Order is not a religious organisation – it’s a political one. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a religious organisation, given that it was founded in 1795, after a Protestant sectarian gang had killed some 30 Catholics; given that, during its attempts to force its way down the Garvaghy Road it made much of its wish to return from a church service; and given that Protestants only can join it and said Protestants had better make sure they aren’t married to a Catholic or have ever darkened the door of a Catholic church while an idolatrous service was in progress.
Why do I say it’s political? Well, pitting one section of society against another and claiming superiority does have a political element, wouldn’t you say? And that it is only in comparatively recent times that any prime minister of NEI has not needed to be an Orangeman.
But a couple of days ago I had a more up-to-date sign of political clout. As Sir Jeff cleared his throat and rustled in his seat and got ready to maybe definitely take the big jump back into Stormont, who did the host of Talkback go to, to check whether such a move would work for unionists? Why, that fine Grand Secretary of the Orange Order, the Rev Mervyn Gibson, who has served not just God as an Orangeman but also the Special Branch of the RUC for 16 years.. Rev Merv explained how the Windsor Framework would have to be adjust/changed/ booted to death so that unionists would feel safe in their Britishness.
Is Rev Merv an elected public official? Nah. Is the Orange Order dictating the tune? Um, pass. Is it easy to move from RUC Special Branch to leading the Orange Order? Piece of cake.
Will Sir Jeff do what Rev Merv says? Time (astonishingly) will tell….
Very good jude free Palestine
Joe McVeigh
As usual you hit de nail on de head. The OO is mainly a political outfit using religion to promote its sectarian views. It’s a sad outfit with nothing to offer in a new Ireland.
Can you imagine the reaction if a political commentator had decided to ask someone from Saint Vincent De Paul or The Legion Of Mary to give their opinion about something? Thank God the order is not the force it was, the Garvaghy Road saw to that.
Many individuals are left with no alternative other than to engage in industrial action today.
It beggars belief to hear Mr Aiken talking about the need to make ‘tough’ decisions.
Will tough decision making impact the salaries, expenses and subsidised benefits of MLA’s?