Twelfth Resolutions 2015

As members of the Loyal Orange Institution we give thanks to Almighty God for His salvation, planned by God the Father in eternity, purchased by God the Son by His substitutionary sacrifice on Calvary and applied to sinners by the work of the Holy Spirit.

As Bible-believing Protestants we declare that while salvation is received by faith alone, without works, moral or religious, it leads to a life of humble obedience to the law of God and to Christian service.

We deeply regret the increasing immorality and opposition to God’s Word at all levels within our society and the determination of many to deprive Christians of their liberty to live in obedience to their Lord.

We call on all Orangemen to stand fast for the faith that is ours by heritage and conviction and to live lives that glorify God and demonstrate the high principles of our Institution.

Second Resolution - Loyalty

That we, the Orangemen assembled at Coleraine, in commemoration of the 325th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne do hereby reaffirm our devotion and loyalty to the Throne and Person of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms, Defender of The Faith.

We note that on September 9, 2015, DV, Her Majesty the Queen will become the longest serving British monarch. We reflect on a reign which has been marked with dignity and service to her people and express our profound indebtedness to her for that service, which has been outstanding and inspirational.

The Institution also appreciates the continuing role played by the other members of the Royal Family and expresses thanks and appreciation to them all. We congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the recent birth of Princess Charlotte this year.

Third Resolution -The State

As an Institution we cherish the Union, which offers civil liberties for all and special privileges for none.

We welcome the outcome of the Scottish Referendum of September 2014 which maintained Scotland’s position within the Union. We believe that, as the outcome of the general election has shown, threats to the Union remain strong. We urge our political representatives to stand firm on unionist principles.

We are mindful of our brethren who are subject to attacks on their property and attempts to prevent their parades. We call on those who protest against us to show tolerance and respect for others. We re-iterate our support today for all lodges who have had traditional parades restricted and been treated unjustly and unfairly. We say ‘Let them home’. We remind everyone that peaceful and dignified protest remains our best means of opposition to the illogical decisions of the Parades Commission.

In this 40th anniversary year of the massacre of five Orangemen in their hall at Tullyvallen in County Armagh we bring to mind all our brethren who lost their lives through terrorism. They will not be forgotten. Their story will continue to be told.

As we look ahead to the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, we are reminded of the sacrifice which many Orange brethren made during the First World War. We pledge to commemorate them with pride and dignity in 2016.