PSNI widow against Order's Mass ban

Published Thursday, 15 September 2011

The widow of a murdered PSNI officer has described the Orange Order’s ban on members attending Catholic funerals as “antiquated.”

Kate Carroll spoke out against the rule after it emerged that two top Ulster Unionists - party leader Tom Elliott and MLA Danny Kennedy - could be disciplined by the Order for attending the Catholic funeral service of murdered police constable Ronan Kerr.

The 25-year-old was killed after a bomb was left under his car outside his Omagh home on 2 April.

Members of the PSNI, GAA officials and politicians all attended the funeral mass in a show of solidarity with the Kerr family.

Mrs Carroll told UTV that she didn't think the Order members should be reprimanded for their presence at the service.

Her husband Stephen was murdered by the Continuity IRA in March 2009.

"These men were showing us an example of how to move on," she said.

"They showed great nobility and bravery by coming into a Catholic church and showing solidarity with all of us."

She added: "I'm not offended, but I'm saddened to see that people still have this mentality whereby Catholics seem to be the second-class citizens, if you like, especially when this country has been making these tentative steps to push life on and not live in the past."

A formal complaint - from a lodge in Belfast's Sandy Row - was made regarding the breach of the strict Orange Order ruling prohibiting members from attending mass.

An internal inquiry is now underway with the issue being discussed at county level in Fermanagh and Armagh, where Mr Elliott and Mr Kennedy are respective members.

A spokesman for the Order said matters like these are private.

A UUP spokesperson said the decision for Mr Elliott and Mr Kennedy to attend Constable Kerr's funeral was to benefit the wider community.

Comments

35 Comments

Mark in Londonderry wrote (250 days ago):

Jeepers Frank, have you some mystical mind reading power you aint telling us about? how do know that ALL Orangemen think the same as Sandy Row? I know many who don't, i know cause they have voiced opposition to this rule but sure just you make things up to fuel YOUR hatred and ignorance. Also Frank there are quite a few Organisations that bring Shame on Ireland, why highlight just 1? You'd be as bigotted as those who'se mind you think you can read. What's tonights winning lottery numbers Mystic Frank? It seems people don't know the difference between Pro Protestanst and Anti Catholic. It is OK for Catholics to be anti Catholic when it comes to other matters but when a Protestant highlights anything he thinks is wrong with the CC he is labeled a bigot. When a Catholic does the same they are hailed as brave for speaking out. Catholics confuse me. Can a Protestant join the AOH BTW? Is the AOH a sectarian organisation? Do Nationalists enjoy AOH Events? @ Joan, you need to educate yourself woman as your posts are historicaly innacurate drivel. DFM has ordered that Unionists (including Orangemen)be loved and cherished so it's time his followers followed orders as we all know what happens people who disagree with Martin much to Irelands Shame, ah Frank!

frank in belfast wrote (250 days ago):

the sandy row lodge is only saying what the rest think....but what sad bitter twisted people they are wouldnt it be a terrible life to have so much hatred in your heart,,....orange order is irelands shame

ED in belfast wrote (251 days ago):

can we have the hierarchy of sinn fein the GAA embracing the brethern orangemen just like martin said this week at their conference , to embrace unionists and protestants , when will they actualy do it instead of words and propaganda

cl in co antrim wrote (251 days ago):

Joan and jp are you the same person you have just repeated yourself in each comment one thing is clear your hate for the orange order .You say the orange order was never christain can you explain to me why there are church ministers and church elders and christains in it and half of its members are presbyterian?why do you keep repeating yourself that our history is only made up .This is the year 2011 no one is stopping you from voting ,going to your place of worship,owning property,land,getting a education and having a good job.Sometime read the orangemans oath and learn why the orange order was formed and finally learn to spell .

gordon in N.Ireland wrote (251 days ago):

I beleive it should be changed but why did they not think of having it changed before the unfortunate death of constable R.Kerr. they knew the rules when they joined. A bit rich for G kelly spouting about bigots remember who carried out darkly massacare on People in church

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