Canon Ernie Long, '˜legendary' Orange Order chaplain, dies aged 102

The man believed to be the Church of Ireland's oldest cleric has been praised for his keen mind and 'legendary' drive, following his death at the weekend.
Described as very, very motivated, Canon Long was a prolific writer, even continuing to work into his latter yearsDescribed as very, very motivated, Canon Long was a prolific writer, even continuing to work into his latter years
Described as very, very motivated, Canon Long was a prolific writer, even continuing to work into his latter years

Samuel Ernest Long, a stalwart of both the Orange Order and the Church of Ireland, died on Saturday, aged 102.

Right up until his death, he had been one of the order’s six grand chaplains, who essentially act as religious mentors to the institution.

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Despite his advanced years and the fact he had retired from his ministry, he remained active, and about one year ago a book which he had written about the Reformation was published.

Titled ‘Renowned Reformers’ it profiled the lives of Luther, Latimer, Calvin and others.

He had been one of the founders of the Orange Standard – the order’s newspaper.

It was set up in 1973, and it is understood he remained a regular contributor until just a couple of months ago.

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Given his contribution to the order, he was selected to perform the ceremonial cutting of the sod for the order’s new Schomberg House headquarters in east Belfast in February 2014.

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Reverend Harold Miller, said: “Canon Ernie Long was, I believe, the oldest clergyman in the Church of Ireland until his death a few days ago.

“He was a man with a remarkable range of interests, from the Orange Order to football to church history and theology.

“He was also a prolific writer and editor of the magazine for the Diocese of Dromore for many years.

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“His entire ordained ministry was within Down and Dromore [diocese].

“When I visited him around his 102nd birthday in the nursing home, he told me that he was hoping to bring out a new book.”

Among the “mighty missioners” he was writing about was Ulster Presbyterian William Patteson ‘WP’ Nicholson

The bishop added: “His conversation was always interesting, his faith secure, and his determination legendary. He will be greatly missed.”

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Orange grand secretary Drew Nelson said: “Canon Long was a very, very highly motivated member of the Orange institution.

“He was one of the most incredibly sharp-minded people that I have ever met.”

He said the fact that new work of his was still being published virtually up until his death was an “incredible achievement”.

Mr Nelson, who last saw him in his Finaghy nursing home in south Belfast at around Christmas time, added: “I consider it a great honour to have known Canon Long, and it certainly enhanced my life to have been able to work with him at a senior level in the institution.

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“He was held in the highest respect by everyone who worked with him, who sat in lodge meetings or committees, or worked with him in the institution.”

He was ordained in 1949, and first served as a curate in St Clement’s in inner-east Belfast.

He went on to serve in Willowfield – also in the Province’s capital – before beginning a nearly 30-year-long stint in Dromara.

He was then a canon and later also treasurer of Dromore Cathedral, before retiring in 1985. Before entering a nursing home, it is understood he lived in Cairnshill Court, off the Saintfield Road to the south-east of Belfast.

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According to his death notice on the Funeral Times website, he was a father of three (and a great-grandfather), whose wife Eleanor pre-deceased him.

Mervyn Bishop, the order’s imperial secretary, said Canon Long (who also held a doctorate in theology) had spent many decades on the institution’s overarching international council, and that his writings would have been known across the globe.

“He’ll be remembered right across the world,” he said.

“Mainly here with his connections with the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland...But his articles were read worldwide, in the [Orange] membership, and beyond.”

The Funeral Times website lists his funeral service as taking place today at noon on Tuesday in Knockbreda Parish Church, followed by burial at St John’s, Dromara at 2pm.

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