Archbishop ‘shocked’ as ‘polarising’ Orange Order parade returns to Portadown

The leader Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has said he is ‘deeply saddened’ that people of the predominantly Catholic and nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown are ‘facing a moment of such tension, fear and uncertainty’.

A standoff between members of the loyalist Orange Lodge and local residents is ongoing following a decision by Northern Ireland’s Parades Commission to allow Orangemen parade through the residential area for the first time in 28 years.

In his statement, Archbishop Martin said his first thoughts are with those for whom this situation brings back “deeply traumatic and painful memories”.

The loyalist parade was banned in the 1990s after it led to clashes and similar standoffs between local residents and the sectarian loyalist group. 

Archbishop Martin said he shared the “shock and disappointment” of so many people at recent developments following the Parades Commission decision to allow the contentious parade.

Last July a decision to prevent the parade was made by the Parades Commission but it was challenged in Belfast’s High Court by members of the Orange Order.

In August, a judge quashed the Parades Commission ruling. The Orange Order then made a new application to hold their parade and this was granted by the Parades Commission last Friday.

Though the Commission noted that the annual Drumcree Church parade “is one of, if not the most, contentious parades in Northern Ireland”.

Describing it as a “polarising” parade, the Commission said banning it is seen by loyalists as a denial of civil liberties, while it reopens a sense of trauma and hurt for nationalists.

A number of Orangemen remain camped out at the Anglican Church in Drumcree, vowing not to leave until they can complete their march.

Appealing for prayers for a calm and a peaceful response from everyone involved, Archbishop Martin also appealed for support for the “patient use of solely lawful and democratic processes to resolve this deeply complex and emotive situation”.

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