> > In the not-too-distant
future, I foresee the Orange Order marching in > St. Patrick's Day
parades with other Irish organizations, but only if > they clean house
with their leadership. > > If they want to be a viable fraternal
order in the 21st century, they > need to shed their religious
bigotry. To use American examples, the > Orange Order is at a
cross-roads: it can either become the Knights > of Columbus (a
heritage organization) or the Klan (a bigoted > organization with
political aspirations). The choice is up to them. > If they opt to
be a heritage organization, they will survive > unification and
thrive. If they opt to be a bigoted organization > that remains
hate mongering and virulently anti-Catholic, they run > the risk of
becoming outlawed. > that was going to be my question. After my posts
what are your views on the Orange Order? Clearly it began as a
militant order to protect protestant interests but has evolved along
masonic lines to become a worldwide christain/protestant organisation like
the christian/catholic AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians)
THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS
by Mike McCormack, AOH
National Historian
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is the oldest Catholic
lay organization in America. Officially formed in New York in 1836,
it was born in anger centuries earlier in Ireland, after successive
invasions by those who tried to master the Irish, and alter their Gaelic
life style. Inflexible opponents like the Vikings were fought until their
power was broken; others, like the Normans, were absorbed until they became
as Irish as the Irish themselves. Through it all, the Irish maintained
their language, traditions, and religion. But in the Sixteenth century,
a concentrated attack, unswervingly focused on the most precious part of
their heritage - their religion - and proved to be their greatest
challenge.
Since the time of St. Patrick, the Irish had become such devoted
followers, and dedicated champions of Christianity, that Ireland became
known as the Isle of Saints and Scholars, sending missionary monks to the
far corners of the world. In contrast, the Church on the continent became
more materialistic, and protests against abuses of power by some clergy,
led to attempts by others to reform the Church. A period of Protestant
Reformation swept Europe in the 1500s, marked by Royal intrigues over
control of the Church's wealth. Conflicts over which religion could be
practiced led to violence in many countries. In England, the Reformation
made inroads from the reigns of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, who finally
declared the Church of England (Anglican) as the State religion. At the
time of this declaration, Elizabeth considered Ireland part of her state,
and even though the Irish didn't agree with that assessment, the Roman
Catholic religion, which St. Patrick had brought them, and to which they
had been faithful , was proscribed and its clergy outlawed.
The Papacy launched a counter-reformation, and Ireland became a
battlefield between the two forces as the Irish, who had embraced the Roman
Church, became the target of a campaign to reduce the power of Rome by
converting the masses to Protestantism. Anglo Lords in Ireland provided a
base from which assaults on Irish religion were launched, and in the
conflict, great tracts of land were confiscated and given to Crown
supporters who professed the State' religion. They became the
landlords who governed the future of the native population. The Irish
fought the theft of their lands, and the persistence with which they clung
to their religion drove the English to extremes in repression. Penal laws
disenfranchised Irish Catholics from the political, social, and economic
life of their own country; with their religion outlawed and their clergy on
the run, they became an underground society practicing their faith in
secret. Not surprisingly, secret societies were formed to protect the
values under attack. In various locales, groups with names like Whiteboys,
Ribbonmen, and Defenders were identified with attacks on landlords, but
each included in its avowed purpose the protection of the Roman Catholic
Church and its clergy. As time passed and governments prevailed, some
societies were suppressed, but most immediately reorganized under a new
name for the same purpose: defense of faith and homeland.
History provides us with the names of many of these
organizations, and even limited details of some. We know, for example, that
the motto of the Defenders in 1565 was Friendship, Unity, and True
Christian Charity, but the secret manner in which these societies operated
left few records for modern analysts. As a result, a true history of their
times may never be written. Today's AOH with its motto "Friendship, Unity,
and Christian Charity" is the most recent link in the evolution of these
ancient societies. Organized in Ireland for the purpose of defending Gaelic
values, and protecting Church and clergy, it is the successor to the secret
societies of old. Although the name AOH can only be traced back
to 1641, the organization can claim continuity of purpose and motto
unbroken back to the Defenders of 1565. The extension of that organization
to America came in much the same manner as its birth in Ireland. The rise
of the Native American Party, or Know Nothings as they were called, ushered
in an era of unparalleled bigotry in 19th Century America. Not only were
"No Irish Need Apply" signs evident in major American cities, but
legislation, reminiscent of the penal laws was sought against the immigrant
population who, it was stated, diluted American principles, and professed
loyalty to a foreign prince - the Pope. The massive influx of Irish,
fleeing starvation and disease in their native land, and professing the
Roman faith, focused Know Nothing bigotry on that unfortunate group.
After several attacks on Irish and Church property, the Irish
immigrant resorted to a familiar tactic. Those, who had been members of the
AOH in Ireland, banded together in this new land, and in 1836, formed an
American branch of their Order. True to their purpose, they stood guard to
defend Church property, and though actual attacks were few and far between,
the long, cold, and lonely nights of vigil were many. The early AOH in
America remained a secret society, and little is known of its activities
except that it provided a monetary stipend to immigrants who arrived as
members in good standing from the Irish Order, and they assisted Irish
immigrants in obtaining jobs and social services. Quite naturally, the
early AOH Divisions were nurseries for the preservation of Irish culture
and traditions in America.
In large measure due to the significant contributions of the
Irish in defending the Union during America's Civil War, it became
unfashionable to be anti-Irish, and the bigoted Know Nothings faded away,
taking their No Irish Need Apply signs with them. The AOH, on the other
hand, grew stronger, following Irish immigrants as they worked their way
across the country. As the need for militant support of their Church
dwindled, the AOH shifted its purpose to charitable activities in support
of the Church's missions, community service, and the promotion and
preservation of their Irish cultural heritage in America. Today they stand,
not only as the oldest Catholic Lay organization in America, but as the
largest Irish society in the world with Divisions in Ireland, and 49 of the
United States.
The AOH in America is partitioned into Divisions, County Boards,
and State Boards, and is governed by a National Board elected every
two years. The Division is the basic unit in the Order, and membership in a
Division is membership in the Order. Even County, State, and National
Officers, maintain membership in a local Division. Annual dances, concerts,
and parades sponsored by all levels of the Order raise millions for
charity, while providing a showcase for the positive contributions of the
Irish to every walk of American life. Divisions usually support local
charities within their geographic areas, while sending a portion of their
monies to higher levels for support of state, national, and international
charities. Subcommittees are often established to perform specific
functions such as the administration of an annual Feis or Festival, the
raising of a historic memorial, or providing instructions in such Irish
subjects as history, bagpiping, dancing, and language.
The many Divisions and Hibernian Halls across the country have
also traditionally provided a welcome for new immigrants. Here, the unique
art, dance, music, and other interests of the Irish are fostered and
preserved, making the AOH Hall a home away from home for many. Together,
they are at the forefront of support for issues concerning the Irish, such
as Emigration Reform, MacBride Legislation, and the Right to Life. They
never forget their ancestral homeland either, and can always be found
actively lobbying for, praying for, and working for the total independence
of a united 32-county Ireland, as their constitution avows: "by all means
constitutional and lawful."
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