>
> 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."

Exchangebanner.gif - 13664 Bytes