The privacy and secrecy of the Royal Black is for good reason

I am writing regarding the article on the Church of Ireland's report into the Royal Black Institution (May 2).
Royal Black InstitutionRoyal Black Institution
Royal Black Institution

It is disheartening that the church deemed it an appropriate use of resources to carry out an enquiry into an organisation which requires regular attendance and involvement of its membership in church life. Especially given that Church of Ireland congregations are in terminal decline.

It is of particular concern as the ‘report’ is largely based on hearsay, seemingly personal vendettas and misinformed enquiries carried out by other denominations.

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Much is made about the privacy and secrecy of the institution which is subsequently portrayed in a negative light. In reality the desire of the institution to manage its own affairs in private is not dissimilar to a church committee or select vestry carrying out its business behind closed doors. In both situations only certain persons are eligible to attend.

The report goes onto to look into the ceremonies of the institution based on fabricated reports and misguided, possibly vindictive, statements provided to the working group. The institution is again vilified for its private ceremonies and workings.

To the disappointment of onlookers there is quite a simple explanation for the ceremonies remaining private. If they were to be made public it would take away from the impact of the Biblical message being impressed upon each member. Each of which is in keeping with the teachings of the Reformation, on which the institution is based.

There is of course an irony in the church setting up a working group to examine the ceremonies of an organisation in order to determine whether they are compatible with Christianity.

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The actions of many clergy in lighting incense, candles, bowing to the east window and the manner in which sacraments are administered have been of particular concern to Low Church Anglicans for years.

The report goes onto critique the regalia of the institution and its appropriateness. This is also done without any understanding as to what the regalia represents. The same cannot be same for the paraphernalia worn by many of those within the hierarchy of the Church of Ireland. The origins of which are well known and certainly at odds with the teachings of the Reformers and our own Articles of Religion.

I look forward to the Church of Ireland establishing a working group to scrutinise its own internal workings in the way it has scrutinised those of the Royal Black Institution. I trust the church will not be found wanting in this regard.

Since its official formation in 1797 the RBI has, unashamedly, adhered to the principles of the Reformed Faith. The institution has endeavoured to uphold and promote these tenets across Ulster and throughout the world.

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It continues to do so in the face of an ever increasingly secular society refusing to alter these beliefs in the face of changing public opinion.

Can the same be said for the Church of Ireland?

An Anglican Sir Knight, Co Armagh