The apology concerning the behaviour of bands outside a Roman Catholic church by the Royal Black Preceptory and the Orange Order’s identification with it are to be welcomed and commended, together with the decision to avoid a flashpoint at Ardoyne during a march to commemorate the signing of the Ulster Covenant.
Hopefully representatives of the churches will enter into dialogue with the leaders of these orders in an effort to move society to a point where celebrations can occur without offence or confrontation. What suggestions could such a dialogue make to these orders for their consideration? Some are unavoidable.
Economics
This has been a good year for Northern Ireland. Considerable amounts of effort by various people and groups has presented positive progress on a variety of fronts. The “2012 Our Time Our Place” marketing initiative was timely with the Irish Open Golf Championship, the opening of the Titanic and Giant’s Causeway interpretive centres, a stop-over on the round the world sailing race, several high profile cultural festivals and the lead in to the UK city of culture year. Furthermore the ongoing efforts of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have kept the profile of Northern Ireland to the fore and especially in North America.
In the midst of a world-wide recession, three nights of wanton street riots figured constantly on the unending news headline strips on the British 24 hours TV news as well as going viral on the internet as news media around the world reported.
The work of those encouraging growth in the tourist business and of inward investment undoubtedly was made much more difficult.
The economist John Simpson estimated that between 4 and 7 million pounds were lost as a resut of the three nights mayhem. His views were supported by one of the most experienced hoteliers and businessmen, Sir William Hastings.
The loyal orders are not responsible for those who came on to the streets to riot in a small part of Belfast. However, they owe it to their membership and to all in society to have a wide view which also encompasses economic well being and employment opportunities. These orders could be potent agencies in getting across the message that such behaviour has immense consequences for all in Northern Ireland, and that is not to minimise in any way the injury to police, damage to property and the terror which such behaviour brings to those who reside in the affected location. The Orders should reenforce the message that those behaving in such a way are doing so “not in our name”. The Orders support for economic awareness in the communities from which their members come will be welcomed by everyone working to secure investment to provide employment opportunities.
Conduct of bands
There is a major issue which the Orders need to resolve and which is over and beyond the existence or otherwise of a Parades Commission. The behaviour of some bands, and the inclusion of certain types of bands undermines the status which the Orders would claim as responsible Christian bodies. Bands which are aggressive in tone both musically and in deportment (including so-called blood and thunder bands), should have no place in the celebrations of the loyal orders. There are sufficient good marching tunes and hymn tunes to enable the avoidance of sectarian or confrontational music.
Each band is engaged by a specific lodge. However the situation demands accountability to the lodge and to the central authority in the loyal organisation.
The time has come for the loyal orders to determine and implement its own code of behaviour for all bands in their parades and this should include the conduct of their followers who at times appear to be an even greater part of the problem than the bands themselves. Any band which contravenes the orders’ code of conduct should not be engaged by any lodge in the future. There is an issue of integrity and accountability here which is being fudged or overlooked in an attempt to lay every ill at the door of the Parades Commission.
The record of the Orders have been sullied this year principally because of offensive band behaviour and the failure to censure the same promptly by the Orders. The maintaining and gaining of respect by others for the Orders is directly related to responsibility being exercised by the Orders. A good starting point is for the Orders to draft a code of behaviour for bands, ensure its implementation and monitoring. In other words self-policing.
Theological issues
Press reports following up the apology by the Black Institution included quotations from chaplains to the order. None of the ordained chaplains quoted were Anglicans. However, the short quotations indicated theological views which indicate a refusal to accept that there has been any change in relationship between the Roman Catholic church and the Protestant or Reformed churches since the worst days of the Reformation.
There is a need for the mainstream Protestant churches to engage in dialogue with the Orders on matters theological. Most of the members of these orders belong to these churches, and in the instance of the Black Institution, a high proportion would be regular worshippers.
This dialogue cannot be in the style of a quick-fix operation. It is a long term if not indeed an ongoing and necessary arrangement. The churches may find a greater welcome than they might at first expect if they were to explore such a possibility. It is a dialogue which is overdue.
Houston McKelvey