Madam, – Dr Gordon Kennedy (February 18th) argues the Orange Order should “change its admission policies to welcome women, Catholics and ex-Catholics into its ranks”. He says that only then will an earlier correspondent be able to “lecture Gerry Adams, the Garvaghy residents, or any Irish person about inclusivity, sectarianism and racism”.
It seems that he does not know that there are women in the Orange family and that there is an Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland. This organisation was first formed in the 1880s but became dormant and was revived in December 1911. It is therefore approaching the centenary of its revival.
As regards Roman Catholics, the Orange Order is a Protestant organisation, just as the Roman Catholic Church and the Ancient Order of Hibernians are Roman Catholic organisations. Is Dr Kennedy going to criticise the Roman Catholic Church for restricting its membership to Roman Catholics? As regards former Roman Catholics, there are quite a number of Orangemen who were formerly members of the Roman Catholic Church, but who have converted to Protestantism, both in Ireland and elsewhere.
I note also his reference to racism and therefore I am sure he will be pleased to know that the ranks of the Orange Order are open to people of any race. Indeed, there is a strong Orange presence in Ghana and Togo.
Dr Kennedy’s criticisms of the Orange Order are certainly lacking in substance.
– Yours, etc,