Belfast Telegraph
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The Orange Order in the 21st century
TWELFTH PARADES: The Institution must embrace the realities of a changing Britain

On the eve of the Twelfth of July, a key date in the Ulster calendar, many places have the air of ghost towns. Those who can take their holidays at this time flee the province to get away from the sense of apprehension, rather than celebration, that accompanies the commemoration of the 1690 battle which was a turning point in British and European history.

There was a time, before the troubles, when the Twelfth processions were seen as a welcome splash of colour, whatever they meant in historical terms. The Twelfth night bonfires were enjoyed by all and there was a carnival atmosphere in Belfast.

Those days are almost forgotten, nowadays, as the annual parades are preceded by ugly scenes at Drumcree and rising sectarian tension in flashpoint areas across the province. Many people vote with their feet for an end to it all, taking themselves and their families as far away as possible.

The outlook is bleak, for those who are left, as well as for the business world, so long as there is this summer exodus. Something must change, before questions are asked about the relevance of the Twelfth holiday itself, and the best people to consider the options are the Orangemen themselves.

If they delay indefinitely, they run the risk not only of losing support, but encouraging disruptive elements to confront and break the law more frequently.

The background to the traditional marches has changed, over the last 30 years, so the Order must change, too. It should take a long look at itself, using the best consultants it can, and see how it can be adapted to fit into the modern world.

Essentially, it stands for the union with Britain and retention of a Protestant monarchy, continuing the tradition founded three centuries ago. But that union is changing fast and there is even speculation that the law preventing a non-Protestant ascending to the throne may be in danger.

What price the Orange resolutions proclaiming loyalty to the crown when Parliament is increasingly accepting the concept of multi-culturalism in a nation where Muslims constitute the second biggest denomination?

Prince Charles, who could now, in theory, marry a divorcee in church, has long wanted to drop the royal claim to be defenders of a single faith - the Church of England. Nothing is written in stone, as the Orange Order would wish.

Now is the time for the Orange leadership to come to terms with the new realities, here and in Britain.

No community, and no government, can put up indefinitely with weeks of disruption and strife. Confining the celebrations to one day would give Northern Ireland another chance to enjoy what should be a joyous spectacle.

Publication Date: 11 July 2002