Orange Order urges protests against Pope's visit

[lemonbeam]

The Grand Orange Lodge, a Protestant organisation with a large membership in Northern Ireland, has called on UK citizens to demonstrate against the visit of Pope Benedict in September.

The organisation has stated that it cannot welcome or agree with the visit of Pope Benedict to Britain for “biblical reasons”.

Grand Chaplain, Rev Alistair Smyth, a clergyman in Co Down, said they did not want their protests to be violent and so their opposition to the papal visit could take a variety of forms.

While the Order says it recognises the right of the Pope to visit his flock - as it recognises the civil and religious rights of all - it said it would make its opposition known.

Rev Smyth said, “anyone welcoming Pope Benedict is in danger of appearing to acknowledge his primacy and universal supremacy as Vicar of Christ on earth”.

But he suggested members might consider holding rallies to demonstrate the differences between the Catholic Church and the Reformation principles they believe in.

The Order may produce booklets and leaflets outlining their stance and individual members may also write letters to the national papers expressing their opposition to the visit.

Rev Smyth told RTE the Order’s statement was not sectarian. He said members wanted to highlight the principles of the reformed faith.

He added that he did not think the organisation’s stance would damage the work that had been done in Northern Ireland to heal divisions between unionists and nationalists over the issue of controversial parades.

The Orange Order is known for its parades in Northern Ireland during the marching season and many senior unionist politicians are members. It has lodges in Scotland and England.

Read more here: totalcatholic.com/tc/index.php?/201003251042/news/orange-order-calls-for-protests-against-popes-uk-visit.html

Why doesn’t this Orange Order protest about world poverty or something. I’ve never heard of Catholics protesting a prominent Protestant coming to visit their country.

 

[jane347]

Wonderful.
www.voguesale.com

 

[SunnaB16]

The spirit of bigotry is alive and well.
The spiritual sons of “Rev.” Ian Paisley.

 

[Soutane]

My Irish Catholic Mother used to refer to them as Bloody Orangemen.