Orange and Hibernian side-by-side
SENIOR Orangemen have walked side-by-side with members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The attempt to break new ground between the traditional adversaries took place about three months ago in the Co Cavan village of Bailieborough, but is only now coming to light.
In an illustration of the tensions within the Orange Order, last night hardline Orangemen called for those involved to be suspended while one of those who took part said it could open up the chance of an Orange parade in the Cavan village.
Among the Orangemen taking part in the event were grand secretary Drew Nelson and the grand master of Cavan, Henry Latimer.
Wearing their orange and green collarettes respectively, an RTE broadcast at the event showed three Orangemen walking alongside members of the AOH ahead of an accordion band playing a hymn tune.
But Mr Nelson insisted that it had not been a parade.
He told the News Letter that the event was part of the celebrations to mark the village's 400th anniversary and that the Orangemen had been asked to come to speak to the local community about "what the Orange Order stood for".
"The purpose of this was to explain this to a nationalist, Roman Catholic community in Bailieborough.
"The hall was packed out - nearly all nationalist people, the AOH were also specifically invited and they were there as our guests in the hall.
"We went and escorted them into the hall and of course that was filmed and appeared on RTE last week."
But the traditionalist group Orange Reformation said that the event was unacceptable and that those who took part "ought to be ashamed of themselves" and called on them to "resign from office immediately or they ought to be expelled".
"We find their participation another example of what Orange Reformation has been seeking to warn Orange brethren concerning - the weakening and undermining of the Protestant basis of our great Institution by some of the leadership.
"On the website the AOH state - 'we invite all Catholics of Irish birth or descent to seek admission to the FINEST Irish Catholic organisation in the world'
"They state as fact - 'the twin constitutional golas of the Irish and Catholic mebership is to assist in the re-unification of Ireland, support the church and its mission and promote Irish culture'
"The Orange Order opposes the beliefs of the Church of Rome while the AOH's stated aim is to promote the Catholic Church and its mission. The Orange Order supports our British heritage while the AOH wish to have a united Ireland."
But Mr Nelson accused Orange Reformation of "misrepresenting what happened" at the event.
"They weren't there so they don't know what happened but they are misrepresenting what happened. I thought it was worthwhile to be able to explain what the Orange Order stands for to people from the Roman Catholic community in the Bailieborough area.
"Almost everyone at the event had never been in an Orange hall in their life and they really appreciated the event."
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Weather for Belfast
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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