Twelfth 2026: Role of the Protestant reformed faith in basic religious freedoms celebrated in Castlederg

The role of the Protestant reformed tradition in basic freedoms – such as to study the bible in our own languages – were highlighted at the Castlederg Twelfth demonstration.

Deputy Grand Master, Rt. Wor Bro Derek Reaney (pictured) said the Orange Order’s resolution “acknowledges our changing world, but reaffirms our commitment as Orange men and women to the Protestant reformed tradition”.

placeholder image — Participants in the Orange Order parade in Royal Hillsborough, Co Down, taking part in Twelfth of July celebrations across Northern Ireland. Photo: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire

He told the Orangemen and women gathered at the field yesterday: “Each one of us has the freedom and liberty to read our Bibles in our own language. A privilege won for us by the reformers and above all, by William Tyndale, who 500 years ago this year completed the first printing of the New Testament in English.

“On the 6th October 1536, William Tyndale was burned at the stake for printing the Bible in the English language which was seen as heresy against the Roman Catholic Church.

“I am sure that in your home as in mine there will be no shortage of Bibles in various translations. Regretfully today many of those Bibles are gathering dust, and yet Protestant reformers such as William Tyndale died at the stake so that you and I could open a Bible and read it in our own language.

“My personal challenge is to spend more time reading and studying God’s word. As we adopt this first Resolution this afternoon, let that also be your personal challenge which I pray that you will also adopt.

“Our second Resolution on Loyalty reaffirms our loyalty to our Monarch King Charles III. The last recorded words of William Tyndale were ‘Lord, Open the King of England’s eyes’ – sentiments as Protestants we also share today. We all need to pray that the King will remember his coronation oath and uphold the Protestant religion as established by the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

“While monarchs come and go, we should reaffirm that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“At the very heart of the Glorious Revolution are the principles of civil and religious liberty. The ideals of civil and religious liberty have been at the very heart of our nation for 336 years and have helped shape democracies across the world.”