Qualifications of an Orangeman according to the Grand Lodge of Ireland

An Orangeman should have a sincere love and veneration for his Heavenly Father;

A humble and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, believing in Him as the only Mediator between God and man.

He should cultivate truth and justice, brotherly kindness and charity, devotion and piety, concord and unity, and obedience to the laws;

His deportment should be gentle and compassionate, kind and courteous;

He should seek a society of the virtuous, and avoid that of the evil;

He should honour and diligently study the Holy Scriptures, and make them the rule of his faith and practice;

He should love, uphold, and defend the Protestant religion, and sincerely desire and endeavour to propagate its doctrines and precepts;

He should strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome, and scrupulously avoid countenancing (by his presence or otherwise) any act of ceremony of Popish worship;

He should by all lawful means, resist the ascendancy of that Church, its encroachments, and the extension of its power, ever abstaining from all uncharitable words, actions or sentiments, towards his Roman Catholic brethren;

He should remember to keep holy the Sabbath day, and attend the public worship of God, and diligently train up his offspring, and all under his control, in the fear of God, and in the Protestant faith;

He should never take the name of God in vain, but abstain from all cursing and profane language, and use every opportunity of discouraging these, and all other sinful practices, in others; his conduct should be guided by wisdom and prudence, and marked by honesty, temperance, and sobriety;

The glory of God and the welfare of man, the honour of his Sovereign, and the good of his country, should be the motive of his actions.

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Keep your whistle dry this Twelfth, PSNI warn public

Thursday, 1 July 2010

The PSNI are urging spectators to observe abstinence over the Twelfth

A robust approach to underage and street drinking will be taken at this summer’s Orange men’s and Apprentice boys parades, the Police Service Northern Ireland have said.

The PSNI will again be working with parade organisers and partner agencies to curb the misuse of alcohol of roadside spectators to the annual parading events throughout the summer.

Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum, district commander for south and east Belfast said that police and its partners hoped to build on the success of last year.

He said: “Whilst officers will be taking a robust approach to drinking at public events, we can only police the symptoms — it is crucial that everyone continues to work together to address the root causes.

“That isn't going to happen overnight. It will take the commitment of everyone over a longer period of time, and requires education, encouragement and enforcement.

“The vast majority of events pass off peacefully, but when drink becomes involved there is potential for trouble and disorder.

“Over the past number of years, we worked very closely with the Orange Order and other parade organisers and partners to tackle the problem of drinking at public events. Last year on July 12 and 13 we made 249 seizures across Northern Ireland netting 4,771 items of alcohol.

“This year we will again be working to ensure that everyone, whether they are attending parades or not, can enjoy their activities safely and peacefully.

“The police, parade organisers and other partners will be handing out leaflets prior to public events encouraging people not to drink either on a parade route or on the street, and informing them that it is illegal to do so.”

Chief Superintendent McCrum added: “We want people to have a good day out, but to do it responsibly. It will only be a success if people make it a success.”

Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: “The abuse of alcohol is an increasing problem for society throughout the British Isles and Northern Ireland is no exception from that general trend.

“The Orange Institution does not wish to see alcohol abused in any way at any of our events or parades over the summer period.

“We are therefore appealing to our members and supporters to refrain from consuming alcohol at our events and in all circumstances obey the relevant laws and byelaws.

“The misuse of alcohol can put people off attending our parades and we will be co-operating with the PSNI to ensure all our parades and events pass off peacefully and can by enjoyed by everyone.”

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/community-telegraph/south-belfast/news/keep-your-whistle-dry-this-twelfth-psni-warn-public-14862474.html#ixzz0sXk9XmSs

12th July 2010 Resolutions

THE FAITH: As members of the Loyal Orange Institution, a Christian organisation, we affirm our belief in the one true sovereign God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that there is only one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, the only King and head of His church.

We believe that for individuals to have hope for time and for eternity it is necessary for them to come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. We strongly urge men and women to "search the Scriptures" which are able to make them wise unto salvation, so that through the work of the Holy Spirit they may be led to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of mankind.

LOYALTY: That we, the Orangemen assembled at …………………………………………………..in commemoration of the 320th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne do hereby reaffirm our devotion and loyalty to the Throne and Person of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms, Defender of The Faith.

We re-affirm our support for the 1701 Act of Settlement, which forms the basis for the Civil and Religious Liberties which we and others throughout the British Commonwealth continue to enjoy as nations, and clearly state our opposition to any attempt to Repeal this Act.

THE STATE: As an Institution we celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which established Civil and Religious Liberty and allowed the evolution of modern constitutional democracy.

We join with the Grand Lodges in England and Scotland in remaining firm for the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Union provides all the people of the United Kingdom with stability and opportunity and is a heritage worthy of being passed down untarnished to future generations.

To further the cause of the Union, we call on our political representatives to work for and seek a common voice on the central issue that matters to the unionist people, the constitutional security of Northern Ireland.

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Twelfth

Order launches 1912 Covenant celebrations

The Covenant medal being presented by the County Grand Master of Belfast,Tom Haire, to the Grand Master of Ireland, Robert Saulters

Published Date: 21 June 2010

THE County Grand Lodge of Belfast has launched a commemorative medal to celebrate the historic signing of the Ulster Covenant in 1912.
The launch heralds the start of celebrations leading up to 2012 when unionism will commemorate a defining moment in its history, a history in which the Orange institution played a pivotal role.

The Covenant was signed by just under half-a-million people on September 28, 1912, in angry opposition to home rule.

Ulster Unionist leader Edward Carson was the first to sign the document at Belfast City Hall followed by 237,368 men and 234,046 women who penned their signatures to the declaration, many in their own blood.

The anniversary of this date has been traditionally celebrated ever since as Ulster Day.

The special Orange Order medal incorporates Lord Carson's statue outside Parliament Buildings, surrounded by the wording, Celebrating 100 years Ulster Covenant Centenary – For God and Ulster 1912- 2012.

County grand master of Belfast Tom Haire said that brethren are looking forward to marking the centenary and that plans are already at an advanced stage.

He added: "This magnificent medal will allow those who wear it to signify their ongoing commitment to the principles that the Covenant proclaimed."

Grand master Robert Saulters, who was presented with the first medal, congratulated Belfast members on the initiative.

He was joined in his wholesome support by unionist politicians.

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, also a member of Belfast No 4 District, said: "It is right that we celebrate the centenary in 2012 and ensure that all in 21st century Northern Ireland – from all traditions – learn of the importance of the Covenant."

DUP MLA Robin Newton said: "This welcome initiative by the Belfast County Lodge deserves the support of every person. I know that plans are being put in place for a commemoration of the Ulster Covenant in 2012 involving the unionist parties, bands, the loyal orders and other key stakeholders – 1912 was a seminal moment in the history of unionism."

- Medals can be purchased at a cost of £11 (includes £1 p&p) from Belfast Orangefest, 342-344 Shankill Road Belfast BT13 3AB or for further details contact 02890 324516.