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Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Dixon has expressed his disappointment that no local accommodation has yet been reached in regard to the Portadown Orange Parade and has strongly urged both those who wish to parade or to protest to keep within the law and abide by the lawfully taken determination of the Parades Commission.
Dr Dixon drew attention to the resolution passed by the General Assembly in June reminding everyone of their calling to obey lawfully constituted authority.
'The General Assembly urge that local agreement about parades be reached, but where such agreement about a particular parade cannot be reached, the Assembly remind everyone of their calling to obey lawfully constituted authority, to show a gentle attitude towards everyone (Titus 3) and urge those who parade and those who protest to abide by lawfully taken 'determinations' of the Parades Commission.'
'I appreciate all the efforts being made to reach a mutually acceptable accommodation and earnestly hope and pray they may yet succeed. Any pursuit of people's rights must be balanced against the rights of others and must also take account of the well being of the whole society. It is of paramount importance that people keep within the law,' said Dr Dixon.
The Moderator also commended all those who in recent weeks have exercised leadership and abided by determinations of the Parades Commission, even when they have not agreed with such determinations. 'Such co-operation has been of service to the whole community,' added the Moderator.
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