YOUR VIEWS: Should the Twelfth be opened to other communities?
A MINISTER involved in the Orange Order has been critical of colleagues in Armagh for involving members of the Chinese community in their Twelfth celebrations.
Rev Stephen Dickinson believes the involvement of a Chinese dragon on the eleventh night prior to the Tandragee parade is "offensive".
"I wish to stress that whilst acknowledging that the Chinese community have every right to follow their own religious beliefs and practices, I believe it is fundamentally wrong for those beliefs to have any place or part in our Twelfth celebrations," he said.
The Twelfth parade is one of four across the province selected as a 'flagship' event by the Orange Order.
Hitting back at Rev Dickinson's remarks, an offical from Tandragee District says they are seeking to "embrace all aspects of local life" in the week long festival leading up to the Twelfth.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?
Should the Twelfth celbrations be more inclusive and embrace all aspects of Ulster society?
Should Orangeism as a whole embrace the 21st Century?
Or, as the annual event has been and continues to be a huge success, should participation remain unaltered?
Register and leave your comments on this topical debate.
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
