AS an Orangeman and one who holds firm to the Protestant reformed faith, I would like to say how disappointed I was to read in the News Letter (July 13) the comments made by a Church of Ireland grand chaplain of the Orange Order.
The Rev Stanley Gamble was speaking in Enniskillen on the Twelfth and hailed the Queen’s decision to enter a Roman Catholic church during her visit last month.
He went on to say it was a sign of peace and reconciliation and a sign of hope for the future.
I would say to Stanley Gamble that he is doing the work of the ecumenical movement. The Protestant ecumenists must be rejoicing at these remarks.
Instead of coming out with compromising statements, Mr Gamble should be standing firm and telling the Orange Institution and others to hold firm to the Protestant reformed faith.
The Church of Ireland has betrayed many of the principles it once stood for.
In Ballynahinch on the Twelfth, we had the Rev Alistair Smyth, a deputy grand master and chaplain, who holds to the Protestant reformed faith.
Mr Smyth must be congratulated for warning that Roman Catholic services are out of bounds if we believe in the Protestant reformed faith.
We need to get the Orange Institution back to its founding principles.
Let us wear our colours with pride and hold our banners high and never be ashamed to be a true Protestant.
Brian Moorhead
Banbridge
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