Latest news with #ApprenticeBoysofDerry
The National
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Orange Order 'not divisive', says Tory Hamilton by-election candidate
Richard Nelson, who is running for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat, insisted that he could represent all constituents despite his affiliations, also confirming he was a member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Both groups have long been accused of sectarianism. In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, Nelson confirmed his membership of both organisations and was asked whether they were compatible with holding elected office. He said: 'We are law-abiding organisations. We pledge allegiance to His Majesty the King. And, you know, we are not divisive at all, and people have their right to their own religion.' Pressed on whether he would be able to represent everyone in the community, Nelson said: 'I always do. I always have. Last week, I met with the parish priest in Larkhall – not just the parish priest, but also another priest. READ MORE: Nigel Farage accuses Anas Sarwar of 'sectarianism' as he doubles down on 'racist' ad "We sat for an hour and spoke about the local community and the things that have been happening in the community. Everybody that comes to my surgery or contacts me – I do not ask what religion they are.' He added: 'People always try and target organisations with a bad brush, but we are not. The things that we do for the local charities, the local communities… that is the part that is missing with all of this.' Nelson's entry on South Lanarkshire Council's register of interests shows that he has been a member of the Netherton Covenanters Loyal Orange Lodge 233 since 2019 and is currently listed as secretary of the Scottish Amalgamated Committee of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. He is also a member of the Sir William Johnston Memorial Royal Black Preceptory 634. Between 2012 and 2023, he was a member of the Carluke No Surrender Apprentice Boys of Derry. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar ad is not racist, says Reform by-election candidate The Orange Order claims that it is 'the protection of the principles of the Protestant Reformation', which historically included the persecution of Catholics, and its modern-day critics point to its frequent marches through Irish Catholic areas and allege it promotes bigoted attitudes towards that community. Nelson also has a side-line as a comedy hypnotist and was revealed to have sworn at audience members under his spell at an event in Penicuik. Footage obtained by the Daily Record showed him shouting at participants: 'What are yous daeing, you d**k? I'm in the middle of a show here. A****holes. You and all.'
The National
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
How many Orange Order walks are in your council area in 2025?
An analysis by The National found there will be 280 loyalist marches across the country, according to notices lodged with local authorities. A total of 17 council areas will see parades from the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys of Derry, a separate loyalist organisation. READ MORE: Over 100 Orange Walks to take place in Scotland in one day Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2019, there were 414 loyalist parades across Scotland, with almost half (192) in Glasgow, which has historically held a higher number of marches. Overall, Glasgow (106) will still see the majority of loyalist marches in 2025. North Lanarkshire (72), South Lanarkshire (32), and Falkirk (12) have the next highest number of parades scheduled. You can see the number of loyalist marches held in Scotland in 2025 below. West Lothian and North Ayrshire have nine each, Renfrewshire will host eight, while East Lothian and East Ayrshire will see six each. There will be five in Edinburgh, three in Perth and Kinross and East Renfrewshire, and two in West Dunbartonshire, South Ayrshire, Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire. In April, there was one loyalist march in the Highlands. You can see the number of loyalist marches held in Scotland between 2019 and 2025 (excluding the pandemic where restrictions were in place in 2020) below.
Belfast Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Francis would have prayed for those who mock him,' says Belfast priest who helped organise pope's Ireland visit
Father Tim Bartlett is the administrator of St Mary's, the oldest Catholic church in Belfast. He helped organise Pope Francis's visit to the Republic of Ireland seven years ago, during which His Holiness travelled to the Knock shrine on the west of the island and addressed tens of thousands of people at an open-air mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park. On Easter Monday, Pope Francis's death was mocked by some participants in an Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Lisburn. Footage from the annual event, which is widely considered as the opener of the unionist marching season, captured the Pride of Knockmore Flute Band playing 'No Pope of Rome', lyrics to which include: 'No, no Pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no rosary beads, every day is the 12th of July.' The incident came just hours after the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church died. "No Pope of Rome" played during Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Lisburn on day of Pope's death Speaking about the event, which has been condemned by many political figures, Fr Bartlett said: 'For me, the overwhelming response from our politicians, from civic society [and] from our society has been one of sensitivity, sympathy, support and concern. Look, that's our only future. That's all I will say. 'Pope Francis wouldn't be bothered too much about it and would pray for those who maybe mocked him or joked about him. He wouldn't give him a lot of attention. Nor will I. Nor should we. 'That's their business. We have to build a better future in a different way for all of us. And the only way, Pope Francis would say, is together with mutual respect, love and care for each other.' Fr Bartlett, alongside Lord Mayor Micky Murray, opened the book of condolences for Pope Francis at Belfast City Hall this afternoon. Francis was only the second pope to ever visit the island of Ireland, after Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. Though neither ventured north, Fr Bartlett said Francis 'followed the [political] situation here in Ireland, and in the north, very, very carefully'. 'He actually had been in Ireland as a Jesuit priest in 1980 for a while to learn English,' he explained. 'He blames us for his poor English — although I don't know if he maybe just had too much fun and didn't bother about the learning of English. We just don't know! 'But he also knew a lot of Irish missionaries in South America, and that was one of the reasons he chose to come to Ireland as pope, because his theme was 'let's go out, let's be missionaries, let's go out to the peripheries, the poor, the marginalised'. 'He saw the church in Ireland as a church that had done that over the centuries, and he wanted to honour that and to come and be part of it. 'But he also followed the political situation here very carefully, was well advised about it, and the only reason in the end that he didn't come north was [because] the original programme was too tight. 'And the more he looked into it, and others looked into it, there was so much that could be done and needed to be done. 'They realised [that a visit north] couldn't fit into the event, [with] the work meeting of families that was happening in Dublin. 'So, it was an open, alive invitation, right up to the moment of his death, that he might have come and visited this part of our island as part of a wider visit.' The Belfast-born priest also witnessed Pope Francis compose his personal apology to victims of abuse in the Catholic Church, which the pontiff then read at his mass in Phoenix Park. Some members of SAVIA (Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse) in NI said that although Francis was 'hands-on, with a big heart', they hope that the new pope will have 'a proactive approach to dealing with victims'. Fr Bartlett said: 'Pope Francis, I think, would have been the first to say there's just no response you can give, no apology that's adequate [for] the whole scale of abuse within churches and other institutions in society, and no apology is sufficient for any individual and what they experienced in terms of abuse. 'But it was important — and I think history will record this — that not only did he issue an apology, but it was from his heart. It was written by his own hand, in his own words, after meeting survivors of abuse.'
Belfast Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Mocking of Pope at loyalist parade on day he died branded ‘provocative and insensitive' by politicians
Politicians have branded the mocking of Pope Francis' death at an Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Lisburn as 'completely unacceptable'. Footage from the annual Easter parade on Monday showed the Pride of Knockmore Flute Band playing 'No Pope of Rome'. Lyrics to the song include: 'No, no Pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no Rosary beads, every day is the 12th of July'. The incident came just hours after 88-year-old Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. In a social media post Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood said: 'It is so distressing that this happened yesterday – it is really hurtful to many across our shared community in Lagan Valley and further afield. 'It is offensive and unacceptable at any time, but particularly on the day that the Pope passed away. 'This is not behaviour that is representative of our town or indeed many of the bands participating who do not want to be associated with this sort of completely unacceptable conduct and hate. 'Lagan Valley is a shared community and we will push back against this sort of regressive intolerance.' Alliance MLA for Lagan Valley, David Honeyford, also criticised the actions of the band members. 'It's really disappointing to hear of this provocative and insensitive behaviour yesterday. This would have been disrespectful at anytime, but is especially on the day of the Pope's passing,' he said. 'Those involved are not representative of the vast majority of people out on Monday, on what should have been a good day, and this is not representative of the Lisburn and the wider area.' Up to 50 bands and 6,000 participants took part in the annual Apprentice Boys parade on Monday. Several DUP politicians shared posts from the parade, though there is no suggestion they were present when the offensive song was played. DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart said: 'Great to see so many Apprentice Boys, bands and supporters. The atmosphere was first class with the entire route lined with thousands of people enjoying the day. 'Good to see Upper Bann well represented with a great turn out of men from right across the Banbridge, Lurgan and the Portadown area. 'As always Portadown Defenders Flute Band and Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band sounding top notch. 'A great way to spend Easter Monday.' Education Minister Paul Givan shared an image of himself shaking hands with one of the participants at the parade. He said: 'A fabulous day in Lisburn as we hosted the Apprentice Boys of Derry in Lisburn. A fantastic parade with thousands out showing their support.' On Monday morning, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP expressed his condolences following the passing of Pope Francis. He said: 'Pope Francis was held in deep affection by many in Northern Ireland. We extend our respectful sympathies to all those grieving his passing. 'While many within the unionist community may hold different theological views, it is important to recognise the profound respect and admiration that many of our fellow countrymen and women had for the humble caretaker who entered the priesthood and died as the head of the Roman Catholic church. 'At this moment, we acknowledge their sorrow and offer our sincere condolences." The Pride of Knockmore Flute Band, the DUP and the Apprentice Boys of Derry have been contacted.
