Following an attack on a Catholic priest during an Orange march in Glasgow earlier this month, another Protestant march due to take place in the city tomorrow has been cancelled.
The march – which would have gone past the church where Canon Tom White was assaulted on 7 July – will not go ahead, Glasgow City Council confirmed.
Canon White was spat at and verbally abused as parishioners were leaving Mass at St Alphonsus Church in the Calton area of Glasgow.
The decision to stop the march from going ahead came after the Church called on the Scottish government to stop labelling such attacks as “sectarian,” and not to attempt to sweep anti-Catholic hate crimes under the carpet.
The Orange Lodge has claimed that the incident was not linked to the parade. However, Council leader Susan Aitken called on the Lodge to take responsibility. A Council spokeswoman said: “Council officers had a productive meeting with the organisers. We will continue to engage with both the organisers and the church community – but have agreed that the planned procession will not take place on Saturday.”
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said: “We welcome the opportunity to continue positive dialogue with Glasgow City Council, the police, and other stakeholders regarding future parades.
“We should be looking forward, not back, and our lodges therefore took the decision to postpone the parade due to take place this Saturday, therefore allowing some additional time over those discussions which would give everyone the opportunity to look at matters from a fresh, forward thinking perspective. The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland fully supports this decision.”
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