Recently I met with an old Commander of the UDA who, along with other paramilitary leaders, had been invited by the UK and Irish governments to a ceremony during the Queen’s visit to Ireland. At this ceremony the contribution of loyalist paramilitaries was acknowledged and honour was given to their struggle for their cause. Yes, you read right. A nation which was ostensibly the enemy of these loyalist paramilitaries gave them respect and honour before the eyes of the world. According to this friend of mine, the Irish authorities treated them with enormous courtesy and dignity and their security was ironclad.
That most despised of anthems to those loyal to the Throne in Northern Ireland – the Republic’s “Soldiers Song” was played at the ceremony. The loyalist leaders politely bowed their heads in silence as it played but their endurance was rewarded as “God Save The Queen” was played no less than four times during the event!
This is a massive encouragement for those of us who desire to see Ireland united once more – under the Crown, that is. There is intense debate going on within the south of Ireland about the possibility of Ireland rejoining the British Commonwealth or even becoming part of the UK again. Moreover, there is a real desire evident through every level of society in Ireland to put aside the hurts of the past and form a new, strong alliance with Britain. Being anti-British in Ireland is seen as a relic of the past, not part of the new, progressive Ireland. Ireland’s experience of the EU – going from poster child to pariah in a few short years – has led many to ponder and reconsider the dubious merits of independence. Safety under the covering of Britannia is suddenly a much more appealing option. It has to be said that this emerging fresh approach has been helped by the loosening of the iron grip of popery over the nation. Disillusionment with many decades of sexual and spiritual abuse perpetrated by RC clergy has led many Irish people to seek freedom from narrow religiosity and enter a brave new world.
There is a massive spiritual lesson for us in this story of men who chose to be outlaws to defend their nation from its enemies and enduring great personal cost, one day being invited to a ceremony where they are feted and treated with great esteem by a nation which is ostensibly opposed to what these men stand for. Of course, the loyalist paramilitaries were not at war with the Republic of Ireland. But over the period of the Troubles, the Republic was both safe haven and support base for the real enemy – the IRA and its varied offshoots. The plastic peace of the Good Friday agreement still acts as a sticking plaster over the deep wounds of Northern Ireland. However, the recent gestures of the Irish government show us that a real peace is possible between Ireland and Great Britain. The genuineness of these gestures only highlights the fakery of Good Friday. The Irish have shown remarkable understanding of a key spiritual reality – only in a culture of honour, where ALL are honoured, can there be true peace and freedom.
My UDA friend also mentioned a particular hobby horse of mine – the contribution of the National Volunteers in Ireland to the Great War effort. These determined nationalists were persuaded by Redmond to lay down their arms in support of Irish Home Rule (for which they were formed) and take an oath to King and country. These volunteers formed the 10th and 16th Irish Divisions. The 16th fought alongside the UVF at the Somme and took the heaviest casualties of the war. The 10th were engaged at Gallipoli and Palestine among other places. The Irish Divisions were used as cannon fodder by the British. As my friend said, they are the great unforgotten of the Great War and should be highly honoured by loyalists. Remember, these were men who fought for our nation even though they were nationalists.
The biblical lesson of honour where it is due never applied more.
Honour is vital if you want to create true peace. Where there is no honour, there can be no lasting peace. I don’t mean by this that you honour your enemy’s thinking – just that you honour your enemy. Respect has to be earned in human relationships but honour is a gift you bestow. The more honour you give, the more honourable you in effect become. As you give others honour you will actually gain their respect. Let those of us who stand for the Throne of David in our midst learn this well.
Let me say that as Emrys I am sent to some but available to all. My friendship and counsel would be extended to any Republican paramilitary. My objective is simple: the Kingdom of Summer. To achieve this I will make friends of the most implacable of foes. Centuries of indoctrination have produced in many a fierce hatred of Britain and the Throne. This hatred feeds on grievances both real and imagined. Challenging with truth the institutional opposition to the Throne must be accompanied by giving genuine honour to the people who have been deceived by such opposition. We can make friends of our enemies. It is honourable to attempt to do so. And being a people of honour is part of our calling to be His People. The Scripture says “Call them My people who are not My people.” What this means is that we can bestow on others the honour of being His People.
What an honour it is to do this. More will be achieved by bestowing honour than by bullet or gun. Let him who has an ear, hear.
