 12th
July 2008 Resolutions
THE FAITH: As a Christian organisation we exhort the
members of our Orange Institution to uphold the Qualifications
of the Institution which challenge us to live Christ-centred
and Bible-based lives.
In an increasingly secular world the Christian message can
often appear to have little relevance for many, but as Orangemen
we pledge to live out our faith in Christ, remembering always
that salvation is "by Grace alone, through faith alone,
in Christ alone".
We are mindful that our conduct should be guided by wisdom
and prudence and marked by honesty, temperance and sobriety,
with the glory of God and the welfare of man, the honour of
our Sovereign and the good of our country being the motives
of our actions.
LOYALTY: That we, the Orangemen assembled at …………………………………………………..in
commemoration of the 318th 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 which
was "once for all delivered to the saints". We appreciate
and recognise her commitment to the Nation and the standards
of service she sets as well as the example of her stable marriage
to society. Long may she reign.
We hereby reaffirm our support for the Union of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland. We stand united with the Grand Orange
Lodges of England and Scotland in calling for the positive
promotion of the benefits of the Union for our peoples, and
believe that only through the Union can recognition and respect
be maintained and developed for those of all classes, colours
and creeds.
THE STATE: In this 90th anniversary year of the signing
of the Armistice in 1918, we reflect on those many members
of our Institution and the wider community who lost their
lives in the First World War. Their loss has a special resonance
for the people of Ulster.
We bring to mind all those members of Her Majesty's Forces
who are currently serving in areas of conflict across the
world, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq. We recall today
those many innocent victims of violence in our own land and
call for just recognition of the suffering which they have
endured. In a changing world, we share the distress of those
millions of people who have suffered through the result of
natural disaster in Burma and China. We commend the efforts
of relief agencies and all those working to assist in those
and other distressed areas of the world.
The republican movement has orchestrated a campaign of attacks
on Orange Halls since 1989 which is still ongoing. We condemn
all attacks on our Orange Halls and sympathise with those
brethren, north and south, whose property has been damaged.
As an Institution we have withstood much and will continue
to stand firm for our beliefs into the future. We seek nothing
more than civil and religious liberty for all and respect
for our traditions and witness.
We continue to watch with interest the political situation
in Northern Ireland and have reservations about the presence
of those in government whom we would not see as democrats
in the accepted sense. The ongoing dogmatic approach of some
within the government causes us concern as we look to a better
future for all citizens of Northern Ireland.
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