THE Orange Order in Scotland is to hold religious tolerance classes for children under plans to combat sectarianism.

Youngsters will be invited to attend anti-bigotry workshops where they will learn about Islam and the Catholic faith and meet religious leaders.

Visits to Roman Catholic churches and mosques will also be organised to encourage young members to befriend people their own age and develop respect and understanding for other people’s beliefs.

The radical scheme, to be launched later this year, has been drawn up by senior Orangemen who are concerned that the movement has become synonymous with sectarianism in the west of Scotland.

They want their organisation to be seen as more inclusive by “throwing open” its doors to other faiths and grooming a new generation of more tolerant members.

Senior sources within the order say they have met Scottish executive officials who have welcomed the proposals and are prepared to fund a pilot scheme later this year for 20 youngsters aged eight to 16.

If the trial is a success, they intend to launch the scheme in the Order’s 80 junior lodges.

The Order, which comprises about 700 lodges based mainly in west Scotland, has about 2,500 youth members.

“I am keen to open doors on what some people see as a rather quaint, dated and bizarre organisation,” said Ian Wilson, the grandmaster of the Orange Order in Scotland.

“It’s part of our evolutionary process, we want to give our young people a much healthier outlook. Some people believe the Orange Order is a contributing factor to the sectarian problem and if there is a problem then we have to confront it ourselves.

“We need to reassess how we express ourselves in a changing multi-cultural society. Religion can no longer be defined in simple terms and the order has got to redefine itself. One of the hallmarks of democracy is to tolerate others’ beliefs. Tolerance comes from understanding and anything we can do to increase that is a good thing.”

The move follows mounting pressure to wipe out sectarianism which Jack McConnell, the first minister, has described as “Scotland’s shame”.

The problem is particularly acute in the west, where most of the Orange Order’s 50,000 members are based.

Historically, the marching season, when hundreds of Orange parades take place throughout Scotland, has been a trigger for sectarian violence.

Last year one of the largest Orange marches in Glasgow was overshadowed by 85 arrests for drunkenness and sectarian-related offences.

Sectarianism is also rife at Old Firm football matches. Both Rangers and Celtic face stiff fines this year from the Scottish Premier League if fans persist with discriminatory chants.

Last year a sectarian summit organised by the first minister was attended by representatives from the Old Firm, the Catholic church, the Church of Scotland and the Orange Order.

While liberal leaders of the Orange Order are keen to foster closer links with other faiths, the introduction of religious tolerance classes will antagonise grassroots members.

One, from Lanarkshire, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “For us to do this is to admit that in the past we were guilty of religious intolerance. This will not go down well with many members.”

However, Jim Slaven, national organiser for Cairde na hEireann, the Irish republican organisation which is based in Scotland, and who took part in last year’s sectarian summit, described the initiative as a significant step forward.

“The Orange Order has previously denied being guilty of religious intolerance but this is a recognition by them that there’s a problem within their support base. We welcome the idea, we need to have creative solutions and we need to target hard to reach people.”

David Alexander, vice- convener of the Kirk’s church and society council, said: “I am pleased to hear that the Orange Order is taking the issue of religious tolerance seriously.”

The Catholic church in Scotland said: “This is a welcome step forward by the Orange Order towards creating a more understanding society.

“Any chance to build bridges with people of goodwill must be seized.”

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