On this 107^th Anniversary of the foundation of the Independent Loyal Orange Institution, it is timely to reflect on the origins objectives and outcomes of those year’s.

Any organisation which forgets it’s past soon loses its way.

Over the last 107 years since our foundation there has been many changes, changes in travel, changes in technology, changes in communication we can speak to someone on the other side of the world with the touch of a few buttons.

But something that has not changed in 107 years, has been the evil and sexual abuses within the Church of Rome.

In 1903 one of the main planks on our platform was the CONVENT LAUNDRIES DEBATE.

Young girls working in terrible conditions were being abused by that Church.

It is now clear that the Papal system has indulged in the Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Sexual abuse of its own member’s for centuries.

Only those victims still alive can bear testimony to the systemic abuse they suffered, however we all know that these evils did not simply start in the last few decades.

It was a defining feature of the Church of Rome, and one our founder’s sought to expose and stop in 1903.

Today we still hear of the Clerical abuse within the Church, of young boys and girls, and the cover up by the Church of Rome, I pose one question WHY are these Clerics allowed to continue to offend and not brought before the Courts of the land.

We are disappointed to learn that the Pope will be given full state honours and be welcomed by Her Majesty the Queen and UK minister’s on his proposed visit to UK mainland.

We make our position clear if the Pope were coming simply in His capacity as head of the Roman Catholic Church, to pay a pastoral visit to his own flock we would not seek to deny Him that right.

We do not want to deny anyone their human rights or civil liberties.

Given the Roman Catholic Church’s theological position on obtaining salvation and the spiritual and temporal authority given to the position of the Pope.

As an institution that exists to promote and defend the ideals of the Reformed Faith, we feel duty bound to call on Protestant Church leaders to stand up for the truth of the Christian gospel, by not involving themselves with this visit.

The Pope claims to carry the keys of Heaven and Hell, but let me remind him that Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”, this is the key to Heaven.

If you haven’t got the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, that is the key to hell.

Earlier this year we had the Hillsborough agreement, the main issues Policing and Justice and Parading, we were promised that nothing would be agreed until all would be agreed.

But out of these talks a date for Policing and Justice was agreed and within a few weeks implemented.

Parading was put on the long finger, a committee was set up starting work immediately, draft a report, out for consultation and finally legislation next year.

This left Unionists with no negotiating power’s as Policing and Justice had already been agreed. Remember nothing agreed until all agreed.

This Institution has been consistent in relation to the issues regarding parades. We up hold the view that when on parade we are expressing first and foremost our Protestant faith, any opposition to such a parade is a denial of our Civil and Religious Liberty.

We would share concerns regarding the new legislation being proposed. Many of the issues in it do not favour our parading tradition.

We see political football being played with the proposed legislation (I hope they play better than England did in the World Cup) .

I would say to all Unionist parties let’s get together, think of Protestantism Not Politics! Principles Not Party! , meet with the Loyal Orders and sort out this proposed Legislation, ask for more time, go through it line by line.

We trust that together we can continue to play a significant role in shaping and moulding any new arrangements, ensuring that at their heart is the right of peaceful assembly and the preservation of our civil and religious freedoms