12th July 2007 Resolutions

THE FAITH: The Orange Institution has always declared itself to be a Christian organisation. We are committed to the Holy Bible for our beliefs, doctrines and practices. Our heritage comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, the first Christians and the Protestant Reformers.

Today we re-affirm this, for there is constant concentration on our involvement in things cultural and political which is used to question that which is of prime importance to us, our faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe in the necessity for individuals to come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as their only hope for time and eternity.

We express our faith in thought, word and deed as we constantly strive to be true to our Christian profession. We are of the Christian Church and its purpose is to bring Jesus Christ to people and them to him.

LOYALTY: That we, the Orangemen assembled at …………………………………………………..in
commemoration of the 317th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne do hereby reaffirm our devotion and loyalty to the Throne and Person of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms, Defender of the Faith.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands, and we reflect on the loyalty of the Islanders and the courage and bravery of their liberators. We send greetings to the people of the Falkland Islands as fellow loyal citizens of the British Commonwealth. The Falklands War reminds us that for many in the world, the cost of freedom can be high, and we reflect on the loss of life brought about through terrorism. We bring to mind today the sacrifice of those 311 members of the Orange Institution who were murdered and we are committed to honouring their memory so that future generations will not forget.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele during the First World War, when Ulster soldiers played a significant role. We reflect on the great sacrifice of the First World War and the many families who were bereaved. We think especially of the 36th Ulster Division and the loss which it sustained, and those who lost their lives from throughout the British Isles and across the British Commonwealth of Nations. Their memory remains with us today and we pledge ourselves to remember those who gave their lives and to hold their memory for future generations, so that their loyalty, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

THE STATE: Orangemen, with other unionists, fully support the Union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. We call our members to a role of civic and community leadership within these islands. The moral and civic ethos which our Institution instils is much needed at this time in a secular world where Christian values are discounted by those in authority.

Our Institution watches with interest the developing political situation in Northern Ireland and, like many others within the unionist community, shares grave reservations about the presence of those in government whom we would not see as democrats in the accepted sense of the term. The commitment of Sinn Fein/I.R.A. to proper democratic government will be constantly monitored and the opportunity presented to them by the recent election results is a test which they must not fail.

Orangemen have served this country with honour and great bravery and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice as a result. We remember the important role they played in protecting the whole community from terrorism. The role of Orangemen serving the community during the terrorist campaign must never be forgotten or airbrushed out of history.

The Republican movement has orchestrated a campaign of attacks on Orange Halls since 1989. In total there have been over 260 arson attacks on our halls. The murders of our brethren and the attacks on our halls are two unresolved issues that need to be dealt with. Sinn Fein/I.R.A.'s continued justification of these murders and their glorification of those who carried them out sickens the vast majority of the community. Now is the time for the Republican movement to condemn and apologise for the murders of our members and attacks on our property. Murder is murder and should be condemned by all. The Orange Institution and its members need to hear a sincere and unequivocal apology from the Republican movement.

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