The Orange Institution has been getting a very bad press.
The attacks come in the main from the continuing saga of Drumcree.
The blame for the disturbances there and elsewhere has been
put on the Order on the simple dictum, "If you bring
people on to the streets you must accept responsibility for
their conduct." Much has been made of what was said at
Drumcree, and after the service there as an inclement to the
violence that followed. While the attacks have been unfair,
and the presentation of the causes and effects of Drumcree
unbalanced, their hurtfulness can hardly be exaggerated. When
the attackers use a violence of the tongue and pen to describe
what they think about the Order they are often uncharitable
and utterly regardless of many positives in Orangeism. And,
incidentally, of its constant condemnation as biased, intolerant
and discredited observers of life here in its totality. Those
most critical of the Institution are often singularly ignorant
and indifferent to what the Order stands for and says for
itself. Culpable are writers who in their studies on Orangeism
chart a course which by-passes its publications and personalities
with pivotal roles in the organisation. One critic who made
himself ridiculous was a Southern rector who poked fun at
Orangemen and how they dressed, bowler hats and suits, which
he described as a throw back to the dress of the gentry of
other days who were Orangemen. It is hard to imagine anything
more silly than calling names at men wearing decent clothing
alike with their fellow members when on parade, except a clergyman
of the Church of Ireland who wears ancient vestments and whose
church has some clergy dressing up in medieval robes of the
kind discarded by their predecessors in a Church of Ireland
more practical and realistic than its English sister. Conformity
of dress is commonly recognised in life generally, and in
churches with clergy and choirs. The serious criticisms of
fellow churchmen must be considered. We are underserving of
the attacks of those whose judgments are negative and valueless.
We are conscious of our shortcomings and big enough to do
something about them. Constructive criticism is welcome from
whatever source.
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