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[Kilsally]

‘An insight into the institution’
http://www.newslette...ution_1_3267024

Published on Monday 21 November 2011 08:16

THE grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland has welcomed the publication of Loyal to the Core? despite expressing surprise at some of its findings.

Drew Nelson described some of the candid survey responses as a reflection of how society in general is changing and said it was “vitally important” to make them public.

“I would encourage people to read this book because it gives them an insight into the institution that we just don’t get from the press,” he said.

Commenting on one of the book’s most contentious findings – that the majority (63 per cent) of Orange Order members agreed with the contention that ‘all Roman Catholics are IRA sympathisers’ – Mr Nelson said it was “understandable”.

“The largest party from the nationalist community is, or was, inextricably linked to the IRA, and I think that is something that is of deep and widespread concern throughout the Protestant community – that our Roman Catholic neighbours, the majority of them, vote for such a party.”

Mr Nelson added: “Because of the nature of Northern Ireland society, it is very difficult for run-of-the-mill unionists to know what run-of-the-mill nationalists are thinking – to talk to them freely about these things, so the main way we have of finding out about their sympathies is how they vote.”

On the widely-held belief in Orange circles that discrimination against Protestants is commonplace, the grand secretary said: “I share that view. There is discrimination against Protestants and it’s almost endemic in the establishment of Northern Ireland.”

Among the findings Mr Nelson found most surprising was the revelation that 11 per cent of members backed the controversial PSNI 50:50 recruitment policy and that around one-third supported the introduction of more relaxed abortion laws to Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the abortion findings he said: “I’m a bit surprised that figure is so high and I would be interested to compare that to the overall Protestant community, and indeed the wider community in Northern Ireland.”

On the issue of public perception of parades, Mr Nelson says there is a direct connection between the political situation in Northern Ireland and the atmosphere at Orange parades over which the Order has no control.

“In times of political tension, or maybe terrorist activity, I think the ‘demonstration’ aspects come to the fore, but in more peaceful times, when the whole country is more relaxed, then it becomes more of ‘celebration’ rather than a demonstration,” he said.

“It’s been on a road these last few years from demonstration towards celebration because tensions have eased in the province.”

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New book reveals what Orange Order really thinks
http://www.newslette...hinks_1_3267060


Published on Monday 21 November 2011 08:34

ORANGE Order members’ private views on the peace process, Parades Commission and even abortion have all been laid bare in a new book written with the institution’s full cooperation.

In the first-ever survey of what really makes the Brethren tick, ‘Loyal To the Core?: Orangeism and Britishness in Northern Ireland’ is written based entirely on the inner thoughts of both the ordinary members and office holders.

Although the book reinforces many stereotypes, it also provides a valuable insight into an organisation with a membership – 40,000 – numerically greater than all of the main political parties in Northern Ireland combined.

Among the main issues dividing the Brethren are abortion and parading restrictions.

The candid survey responses – with 1,500 members sampled in total – revealed that less than 60 per cent of Brethren felt they had the right to march anywhere in Northern Ireland without restrictions. The book’s authors described the figure of 58 per cent as “not overwhelming”.

Perhaps surprisingly, almost one-in-five lodge members said they were opposed to marches going where the local residents were unsupportive.

However, despite showing signs of conciliatory thinking on many issues, some opinions expressed will undoubtedly be seized upon by the Order’s critics.

Almost two-thirds agreed with the contention that “most Roman Catholics are IRA sympathisers” with only 26 per cent disagreeing, while nine in every ten members said that, in general, Protestants are being discriminated against in 21st century Northern Ireland.

Tampering with tradition is always likely to cause heated debate within lodge circles and attempts to broaden the appeal of the Order’s celebrations through the Orangefest initiative have proved particularly divisive.

Despite Grand Lodge enthusiasm, a small number of lodges have refused to acknowledge Orangefest.

One member interviewed by the authors said he supported the “sensible aim” of Orangefest but added: “We have to remember that we have a certain basic understanding of what the Orange institution is and what it’s about.

“We can’t lose that, simply to be cavorting about, trying to entertain the public. We’re not here to entertain the public, at least I’m not.”

In conclusion, the authors contend that the Orange Order will “surely be redundant without a significant religious role” and talk of the Order’s internal debate over the rise of the “political Protestant” at the expense of the “religious Protestant”.

The authors note: “The challenge for the remainder of the 21st century will be to make either type of membership relevant.”

The book also highlights the “extraordinarily difficult” issue of how to change the mindset of critics who perceive the Orange Order as a predominantly anti-Catholic organisation “rather than view it as a benign, charitable, Christian and cultural institution which merely opposes doctrinal aspects of the Roman Catholic Church”.

Loyal to the Core? is published by the Irish Academic Press and is available from booksellers priced £14.99.

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22 November 2011 Last updated at 08:23
60% of Order view Catholics as 'IRA sympathisers'
http://www.bbc.co.uk...reland-15832376

The authors spoke to 1,500 members of the Order

A new book on the Orange Order has found that more than 60% of its members agree with the view that "most Catholics are IRA sympathisers".

One of the authors, Professor Jon Tonge from Liverpool University, said the findings were "disturbing".

They are based on the views of 1,500 members from across Northern Ireland.

The book also notes that nine out of 10 Orangemen think Protestants are discriminated against.

Only 6% of respondents said they would be in favour of one of their children marrying a Catholic.

However, Mr Tonge said this was largely representative of the Northern Irish community as a whole.

"Only 9% of marriages are mixed here, so in that sense the Orange Order is not that far removed," he added.

Mr Tonge said the book, "Loyal to the Core? Orangeism and Britishness in Northern Ireland", was the first of its kind and had the full backing of the Order.

"They wanted a full and frank survey. We did offer concessions, but in the end they chose not to hold anything back," he added.

"They wanted a warts and all survey."

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Orange Order attitudes will not surprise nationalists - McKay
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/22019
November 22, 2011

Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay has stated that many of the narrow sectarian attitudes exposed by a survey of Orange Order members will not surprise nationalists.

Speaking following the publication of a book which examines the attitudes of a sample of 1,500 members of the Loyal Orders Mr McKay said:

“It is clear from these findings that the Loyal Orders are insular organisations who have failed to engage in any meaningful manner and challenge the perceptions held in this book. The narrow sectarian attitudes exposed in this survey will not surprise nationalists.

“Throughout the development of the Peace Process the Loyal Orders have failed to engage proactively on issues such as contentious parades and play an active and positive role in moving our society forward.

“Instead they have brought violence onto the streets at Drumcree, Ardoyne and elsewhere. Most recently there have been proceedings taken against members for attending PSNI constable Ronan Kerr’s funeral.

“We hear on an annual basis how the 12th of July and Orangefest are open to all yet this book clearly indicates that they are not when the majority of members of those involved in such events hold sectarian and narrow perceptions of the catholic community.” Crioch