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Order changes policy on talking to residents' groups | Order changes policy on talking to residents' groups |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Orange Order has changed its policy on engagement with residents' groups to discuss contentious parades. | The Orange Order has changed its policy on engagement with residents' groups to discuss contentious parades. |
The grand lodge decided formally in March that "flexibility be allowed over engagement at a local level". | |
This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. | This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. |
Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". | Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". |
It is understood this policy has now changed in order to give flexibility to local lodges to engage in talks with residents groups if they decide it is appropriate to do so. | It is understood this policy has now changed in order to give flexibility to local lodges to engage in talks with residents groups if they decide it is appropriate to do so. |
On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. | On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. |
He was speaking ahead of Saturday's Ulster Covenant centenary parade in Belfast. | He was speaking ahead of Saturday's Ulster Covenant centenary parade in Belfast. |
The Orange Order has said it expects up to 30,000 marchers to take part in the event across the city. | |
The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymns are to be played as part of the parade passes St Patrick's Church in north Belfast. | The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymns are to be played as part of the parade passes St Patrick's Church in north Belfast. |
It also said there should be no loyalist supporters on that section of the route, while the numbers of nationalist protestors have been limited to 150. | |
Reverend Mervyn Gibson said making sure the parade passed off peacefully was the priority. | Reverend Mervyn Gibson said making sure the parade passed off peacefully was the priority. |
Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church. | |
The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's. | |
In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church. |