Orange chief faces rethink on Catholics

Published on Saturday 19 January 2008 19:14

SCOTLAND'S leading Orangeman has staked his reputation on ending his organisation's ban on allowing members to attend Catholic weddings and funerals.

And whether or not Ian Wilson, grand master of the Grange Orange Lodge of Scotland, gets his way he may well end up in chapel sooner than he expected.

Because the leader of the strictly Protestant organisation has revealed that his youngest daughter is in a relationship with a Roman Catholic.

The 59-year-old has given his blessing to the couple.

He said: "He is one of the nicest lads she has ever brought into the house. They are getting so chummy now that we have met the parents, and it's clear that he comes from a very nice family."

It is possible Wilson may have to decide whether to attend his daughter's wedding in the face of opposition from the organisation he leads.

"That would not be an easy situation for me to face if it ever arose," he admits, "but her happiness is what matters most."

Wilson was in no doubt that he would go to the ceremony. "Family comes first, always," he said.

Wilson's next attempt at modernisation will come at a Grand Lodge meeting in March that will debate whether members should be allowed to attend Catholic church services.

At present, Orangemen risk being expelled if they do so, but Wilson believes the rule is a public relations disaster. "It leaves the Order looking the very thing we claim we are not – bigoted."

Hearts fan Wilson is determined to bring his organisation into the 21st century and last year, in a bid to heal age-old sectarian division, he invited Archbishop Mario Conti, one of Scotland's most prominent Catholics, out to lunch.

He said: "Interfaith dialogue has to continue. It is the only civilised way to conduct business in the 21st century."

The Order has hired a top Edinburgh PR firm to help enhance its reputation.

Halogen PR has issued statements stressing that the Order has a zero-tolerance policy on the singing of bigoted songs and references to paramilitary groups.

Wilson has also approved of the use of a square-jawed cartoon figure in a skintight orange jumpsuit and purple cape – dubbed Superorangeman – to win over the "PlayStation generation".