Sir, What happened at Drumcree Church has sparked off serious civil unrest and raised a question mark over the peace process.
Need it have happened? No, say some commentators. It would not have happened had the Church of Ireland authorities learned the lesson of Drumcree 1995, and made it clear to the Orangemen that they would not be welcome at the church unless an undertaking were given that their parade to and from it would be kept within the law.
However, what happened at Drumcree raises the question of the Church of Ireland's relationship with the Orange Order. Many Orangemen, loyal Church members, are decent, law abiding people who want nothing to do with mob rule.
They are now looking to the Church for guidance. So too are many clergymen, especially those whose churches have annual Orange services. The urgent guidance of the House of Bishops, perhaps through a Pastoral Letter, would be much appreciated. - Yours, etc.,
Ashford,
Bangor,
Northern Ireland.