F.A.Q.’s
1. Are you anti-Catholic?
No. We are most definitely not anti-catholic. In fact, we see oursevles as catholics in the true sense of the word. Protestant churches are part of the “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”. At the Reformation, the question was not “Was the Pope a Protestant?” but rather “Was the Pope a Catholic?!” The Reformers argued that the Bishop of Rome had departed from the Catholic faith, and that their movement was a return to it. We see oursvelves as Reformed Catholic as opposed to Roman Catholic.
2. Are you anti-Irish?
No. We consider ourselves very proud Irishmen, albetit with the added British dimension. We welcome Mary McAleese’s recent comments that “It is possible to be both Irish and British, possible to be both Orange and Irish. We face into a landscape of new possibilities and understandings.”
3. Are you a secret organisation?
No. As an organisation, we have public cultural and religious events, such as parades and church services. These are all open to the public, and in recent years we have attracted a large number of tourists to our events. In addition, our ceremonies and constitution are all in the public domain. However, like many other organisations, business meetings are restricted to members.
4. Are you anti-republican?
No. It comes as a great surprise to some that the Orange Order flourishes in countries which are Republics. In the United States of America, the Republic of Togo, the Republic of Ghana as well as the Republic of Ireland, you will find Orange associations and societies. This is because the Orange Movement at its core is about Reformed Christianity and how this relates to society. The idea of ‘Civil and Religious liberties for all’ has spread right throughout the world, and brought immense freedom to many, not least republics.
5. Isn’t the Orange Order just a Northern Ireland thing?
No. The Orange Order is global phenomenon. There are currently active lodges in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, The United States, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, as well as Ghana and Togo in West Africa. Delegates of Grand Orange Lodges from around the world meet in a different country every three years for consultation and discussion on matters of common interest.
6. I am not from Dublin. Can I still become a member of the lodge?
Yes. Dublin & Wicklow LOL 1313 is very proud of the fact that we draw members from all over this island who travel to Dublin once a month for meetings.
7. I am not originally from the British Isles or any other part of the ‘Anglosphere’, can I still join?
Absolutely. Anyone newly arrived to these shores would be made most welcome.
8. I was born and brought up as a Roman Catholic, can I still join?
Yes, if you are now convinced of the principles of Protestantism, and want to join with other Protestants in having a positive influence in society, then we would love to have you! Remember all of the Protestant Reformers were born and brought up as Roman Catholics. This didn’t stop them embracing and supporting ideas that would change the world. Those Reformed ideas remain to this day and are still as relevant as ever.
9. Do you have members from Roman Catholic backgrounds currently in the lodge?
Yes, we are very pleased to say that we do. Some members who were baptised in the Roman Catholic Church and attended Mass for most of their life, have now discovered and embraced Reformed Christianity. They have found Reformed Churches along with our lodge to be a place of warmth and welcome.
10. How do I become a member?
Go to the ‘Get in touch’ part of our website and send us a message. We will be more than pleased to talk to you further about membership.
11. Have there been any famous Dublin Orangemen?
Yes, many! Dr. Thomas Barnardo is one fine example. He joined the Orange Order in Dublin. His Reformed faith was very important to him, and was the driving force behind his children’s charity. Rev. T.C. Hammond is another (although born in Cork). He was an active chaplain of the Orange Order both in Dublin and Sydney. He was Superintendent of the Irish Church Missions in Dublin, before moving to Sydney, Australia to become the Principal of Moore Theological College. And then theres Sir Edward Carson, a leading barrister and Unionist politician. He was a member of the prestigious Trinity College Dublin Orange Lodge. Upon his death, in 1935, he was one of the few non-monarchs to receive a British State funeral.
