Boorish Orangemen
The BBC reports on the weasel words of the Orange Order which tries to distance itself from the violence and sectarianism associated with its 'cultural' activities, while refusing to respect the decision of the independent Parades Commission in Northern Ireland which has ruled that they cannot march in particular areas.
In effect the Orange Order goes through the motions of condemning violence while fanning the flames of discontent among their supporters by insisting they have an unfettered right to march and parade wherever they want, as if fellow citizens must accept their boorish, anti-social behaviour.
Orange Order condemns loyalist band over parade breach
By Mark Simpson - BBC News
Finaghy True Blues admitted they had played a hymn while passing St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street
The Orange Order has condemned a loyalist band that played a hymn outside a Catholic Church in Belfast on 13 July, despite a ban on music.
Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said the band's behaviour was "unacceptable".
Finaghy True Blues, from south Belfast, had defended their playing of How Great Thou Art going past St Patrick's Catholic Church .
Mr Nelson has also condemned violence associated with a parade in north Belfast.
He accused "self-appointed agitators" of causing the trouble.
In the first detailed interview with a senior Orangeman since violence erupted on Monday night, Mr Nelson condemned all those involved.
He said: "They in some way feel they are doing something on our behalf, engaging in violence. I want to say to those people 'we utterly reject that'."
Drew Nelson rejected accusations of a 'town versus country' split in the Order
However, he said that the Order would continue its campaign to overturn the re-routing of an Orange parade in the area.
He said: "Walking away from these difficult problems will not cure them.
"These are problems for the Orange institution, for the PSNI, for both communities in north Belfast, for the churches, the politicians and for the government.
"Walking away from them is only kicking the can down the road. We need to address these issues and come to a resolution."
On the playing of music outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Belfast by Finaghy True Blues Flute Band, he said their actions were not acceptable.
However, he said that the Order would continue its campaign to overturn the re-routing of an Orange parade in the area.
He said: "Walking away from these difficult problems will not cure them.
"These are problems for the Orange institution, for the PSNI, for both communities in north Belfast, for the churches, the politicians and for the government.
"Walking away from them is only kicking the can down the road. We need to address these issues and come to a resolution."
On the playing of music outside St Patrick's Catholic Church in Belfast by Finaghy True Blues Flute Band, he said their actions were not acceptable.
Internal process
He said: "The (Parades Commission) determination was wrong but equally the way the band reacted to that determination was also wrong, and the behaviour of that band in appearing to dance in some sort of celebration after they had broken the determination was totally unacceptable.
"There will be a review of what happened and I imagine that there will be some sort of internal process by Sandy Row District."
He rejected suggestions of a 'town versus country' split in the Order, following comments by County Fermanagh Grand Master Stuart Brooker in which he said some Orangemen were "ashamed" of events in Belfast.
Mr Nelson said: "There's no split in the institution and Stuart Brooker also said that he saw no evidence of a split in the institution."
