A PRESBYTERIAN minister who formed a high profile friendship with Martin McGuinness has said it is "time to use our language carefully"
Rev David Latimer was speaking after former Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Ken Newell came under fire for comments he made about the Orange Order and how there is a "reservoir" of sectarianism among its members.
Dr Newell, who was awarded an OBE for his peace work, spoke out after it emerged the Orange Order had asked its members to stop using the term `RIP' to express grief following a death as it believes it is 'unbiblical'.
Speaking about the move, Dr Newell - who, alongside Fr Gerry Reynolds set up the Clonard-Fitzroy Fellowship - said there was a "reservoir of anti-Catholicism and sectarianism" among Orange Order members.
"The Orange Order has a problem with sectarianism and one of the biggest problems is that it is not talking," said Dr Newell.
"If you want to learn about the Catholic Church what I suggest is... that we all have to flush sectarianism out of our hearts and minds and the best way to do that is by dialogue of life, a dialogue of truth".
The Orange Order however rejected the criticism and said it had a "long-standing record of community outreach, including meetings in the past with senior representatives of the Catholic Church".
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson also described the comments as "outdated and unfair".
"He is clearly fixated on attitudes that may have prevailed in the past. A lot has changed in recent years and the Orange Order does very significant outreach work across the community".
Speaking yesterday, Rev David Latimer, who formed a lasting friendship with the late Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness, said it was time "to tear down the walls that divide us and to build bridges so that we can listen to each other".
The Presbyterian minister, who first met Mr McGuinness in 2006 after appealing for his help to end attacks on his church which overlooks Derry’s Bogside, said: "This year has been so peaceful that really, we should be using words carefully that are designed to encourage the Orange Order to keep on the road that they are travelling".
"Is the Orange Order sectarian? An Orange Order man should love God and should be gentle, compassionate, kind and courteous. Now, these are the qualifications for an Orangeman and they take their bible as their rule of faith and practice. I do not think the Orange Order is in itself sectarian, if it is living according to those principles".
He added: "The Orange Order is interested in promoting a better understanding and I would encourage this.
"The time has come for us to tear down the walls that divide us and to build bridges so that we can listen to each other. It is time to use our language carefully".
