Orangeman invites top Catholic for lunch

Published on Sunday 7 October 2007 01:54

THE leader of the Orange Order of Scotland is set to invite one of Scotland's most prominent Catholics out to lunch in a bid to heal age-old sectarian divisions.

Grand Master Ian Wilson is keen to meet Archbishop Mario Conti as part of a broader public relations blitz by the exclusively Protestant organisation aimed at improving its public image.

The Order, which is best known for holding Orange parades in west central Scotland, has hired a top Edinburgh PR firm to help enhance its reputation.

Wilson, who wants to modernise the contentious organisation, is keen to build trust and dialogue with the Catholic church.

He previously met Conti briefly during an anti-sectarian summit organised by former First Minister Jack McConnell.

"I said to Archbishop Conti that we should meet up for lunch and he replied that he thought that would be a good idea," said Wilson.

"Sadly I have not taken him up on that yet, but I am keen to put that right. The interfaith dialogue has to continue. It is the only civilised way to conduct business in the 21st century."

Halogen PR, a company set up by former MP and Scottish Conservative chairman Raymond Robertson, has been hired by the Order.

Spokesman Iain McMenemy said:

"We want to make it clear that the Order has a zero-tolerance policy on anything paramilitary or singing any bigoted songs.

"They have also made it clear that the so-called Buckfast brigade with their Rangers tops and flags are no longer welcome."

A spokesman for Conti, the Archbishop of Glasgow, said: "The Archbishop would be glad to meet with Mr Wilson."

The Orange Order, which has close ties to the Loyalist movement in Northern Ireland, claims 50,000 members in Scotland.