"I also appeal for support for the patient use of solely lawful and democratic processes to resolve this deeply complex and emotive situation," the Archbishop added, urging calm as the legal process ran its course.
‘March going to clash with parishioners’
Local clergy on the ground in Portadown have expressed more immediate, practical anxieties about the physical safety and emotional well-being of their congregations. Fr Peter Clarke, of St John the Baptist Church, warned that the early morning parade is almost certain to "clash" with parishioners coming and going from the morning service.
Fr Clarke confirmed that following the publication of the commission’s determination on Friday, he had emailed the body directly to register his strong objections. He expressed bewilderment at the commission’s logic, stating he "doesn’t know how they came to" their conclusion, though he acknowledged the matter was now in the hands of the High Court.
Reflecting on his own "unhappy recollections" of the height of the Drumcree dispute during the mid-to-late 1990s, Fr Clarke said he "wouldn’t like to see" a return to the community divisions and violence of those years. He noted that the potential disruption was not limited to his own church, as parishioners attending the 10:00 BST service at St Patrick’s Church on nearby William Street were also likely to have their journeys affected.
"Tensions are high" within the Portadown community, Fr Clarke observed, adding that he intended to address the unfolding situation directly from the pulpit during Sunday’s services.
‘Orange Order will comply fully with the law’
In contrast, representatives of the Orange Order have urged calm and called for their critics to respect the independent decision of the Parades Commission. In a formal statement issued on Saturday, the Portadown District Orange Order branch stated that while they were "not happy" with the severe restrictions placed on their parade, they would abide by the ruling.
"We will comply fully with the law and determination," said Portadown District Master Nigel Dawson. "We now ask our community to do likewise. We would appeal to everyone to conduct themselves responsibly and peacefully and not to do anything that could increase tensions within the community."
Dawson defended the lodge’s record, pointing out that local Orangemen had strictly adhered to the Parades Commission’s rerouting decisions and bans for the past 28 years, despite their strong disagreement with them. "All we ask now is that same respect" is shown by the nationalist residents and political leaders affected by this weekend’s decision, he added.
The Parades Commission itself sought to defuse the growing political storm in its written determination. The five-person panel, led by Professor Evelyn Collins, wrote that it had reached its decision after receiving "various written and oral submissions" from the parade organizers, local residents, police commanders, political parties, and church representatives.
"This decision is not, and should not be perceived, as a victory for one side or a loss for another," the commission’s 31-paragraph document stated.
However, the ruling has done little to ease local anxieties. Arriving at the High Court on Saturday morning alongside the residents’ legal team, Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition made his group’s objectives clear.
"We are here to convince the law to see sense," Mac Cionnaith said. "We are here to seek justice for our community in Portadown." On Friday, the coalition had described local residents as "furious" and "fearful about what will happen over the weekend."
