THE SDLP has welcomed as "a very positive step" the attendance of the Orange Order's Grand Master, Mr Robert Saulters, and several senior Orangemen, at Harryville, Ballymena, on Saturday to support Massgoers.
However, the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) described Mr Saulters's gesture as a "cynical stunt" designed to counter the criticism over his remarks about the British Labour Party leader, Mr Tony Blair, marrying a Catholic.
Mr Saulters and his colleagues stood outside Our Lady's Church at Harryville to oppose loyalist protesters who have attempted to disrupt Mass every Saturday for the past 18 weeks. The Orange leaders carried a banner reading: "Orangemen support Civil and Religious Liberty for All." A small number of loyalist protesters was held back by RUC officers and there were no incidents.
A local SDLP representative, Mr Sean Farren, said he was encouraged by the support of the Orange Grand Master. He said it would go a long way towards creating a more positive atmosphere in community relations.
However, the LOCC claimed in a statement that Mr Saulters and the Orange Order had no interest in the rights of nationalists and Catholics in Harryville or anywhere else. It said the order still refused to communicate with residents of the Lower Ormeau Road or to seriously address their legitimate concerns.
"It will take more than an opportunistic appearance at Harryville to convince LOCC that Robert Saulters is genuinely interested in reconciling the Orange Order to the Catholic community."
Sinn Fein's Northern chairman, Mr Gerry O hEara, described as a "welcome departure" the support of the Orange Order.