I’ve just listened to Talkback on the B(ritish)BC . In the programme, they discussed Orange parades of the past. They wondered aloud if a High Court ruling overturning the Parades Commission decision today would have any effect. The Parades Commission, after several Catholic deaths, had decided it maybe wasn’t a good idea to have Orangemen march down the Garvaghy Road. The High Court today ruled otherwise.
Even though there was an Orangeman on the Talkback panel, we never heard a word about Catholicism and the Orange Order. Odd, that, from such an even-handed institution as the B(ritish)BC. So let me make a few points about the OO and Catholics.
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- The Orange Order was founded in the wake of the Battle of the Diamond, in which it’s estimated some 30 Catholics were killed and many Catholic families driven from their homes, never to return.
- The Orange Order rules make it clear that you’d better be a Protestant if you plan to join. What’s more, your wife had better be a Protestant or once again you’ll be barred from membership. What about your father maybe being a Catholic and you a Protestant? Well let’s say it doesn’t improve your chances of gaining membership (if you should wish such a thing).Â
What about the Orange Order and civil disorder?
In the 1840s, Orange marches resulted in violent conflict. In 1849 more than 1200 Orangemen marched through a predominantly Catholic neighbourhood, killing Catholics and burning their houses.1864, 1867, 1872 – serious sectarian violence in Belfast.
There’s loads more, but you get the drift. Where there’s an Orange Parade, the spilling of fenian blood was likely to feature.
Odd, how little attention was given to Orange Order ordinances or Orange Order history on Talkback today. And if today’s High Court’s ruling sticks, that history may be given another putrid lease of life.
The B(ritush) BC. There is a clue in the title. Should be called the B(ritish) BS. No real surprise they didn’t mention the Orange Order’s grisly history. They never mention the many crimes an misdemeanours of the British army, RUC and co. whenever delving into their past. Would never do. It’s called propaganda.
Where is spell check when you need it?!
Important to point out that thehigh courts decision was based on the procedure i.e. how the decision was arrived at and not on the correctness or otherwise of the decision to permit the parade. Fresh application to PC and we are back to the drawing board. No doubt parade will be refused. This time with adherenceto the rules it is hoped.