GRAND MASTER RE-ELECTED
Grand Master Robert Saulters was re-elected at the December meeting of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in Armagh, today, December 13.
It will be his 11th year in office.
Deputy Grand Master Rev. Stephen Dickinson stood down from his post and was replaced by Edward Stevenson, County Grand Master for Tyrone.
Drew Nelson was re-elected Grand Secretary and Mervyn Bishop was re-elected Grand Treasurer.
Mr Saulters said it was an exciting and challenging time for the Orange Order.
He said:
“I am honoured to have been re-elected to the post of Grand Master. I believe the Order is strong at the moment and ready for the challenges ahead. There is still much to resolve in the parades issue but I believe we are making progress.
“We are building our relationship with religious and political leaders and I think more people now understand the important role that the Orange Institution has in the community.
“The government in the Republic of Ireland has endorsed our heritage with their planned development of the Battle of the Boyne site at Drogheda and this will help many people all over the island of Ireland, and further afield, to understand our history.
“We are expanding membership in the Republic of Ireland and now have new members in Limerick, Kilkenny, Cork and Kildare. That brings to nine the number of counties in the Republic where the Orange Order is organised.
“We have 100,000 members worldwide, on four continents – Europe, Australia, America and Africa.
“There are several key initiatives planned for the year ahead and I believe it will be an exciting time for the Orange Order and its members.”
December 13, 2004.
