ANGER OVER NEW MARCH PAST ATTACK CHURCH
CATHOLIC leaders have slammed plans for a SECOND parade past an East End church where a priest was “shamefully” attacked during an Orange Order march last month.
COUNCILLORS will be asked to re-route a second parade away from an East End church where a priest was attacked during an Orange Order march.
The proposed procession – by the Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Black Preceptory – is due to take place on September 8.
But following the previous incident – when supporters of an Orange Order march allegedly spat on Canon Tom White of St Alphonsus, in Calton – the council has asked organisers to change the route.
The march would run from Tullis Street to George Square passing through the East End for a wreath-laying ceremony.
Around 60 people are expected to take part and the march would take 45 minutes each way.
City council chiefs have asked organisers of the march to consider an alternative route in light of increased tensions in the community caused by the attack on Canon White.
But the Royal Black Preceptory, a separate organisation from the Orange Order, has refused to alter its plans, meaning the route will now be decided by a specially-convened Public Processions Committee.
Although there have been no issues with Royal Black Preceptory marches in the past, police fear current tensions could boil over if the parade passes St Alphonsus.
Police said the likelihood of protests will increase significantly once details of the proposed march route become public. The force added the resources needed to police the parade would be disproportionate to the numbers taking part.
In a submission to the council, Superintendent John McBride said: “There has been significant tension in the community and much social media activity relating to proposed parades past the church since the attack on Canon White.
“This parade causes a serious concern for the police in terms of public order and disruption to the life of the community.”
The council acknowledged the Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Black Preceptory has for a number of years marched past St Alphonsus without major incident.
However, on this occasion it decided there would be a “high likelihood of public disorder with risk to public safety”
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow City Council has been unable to reach agreement with Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Black Preceptory No 672 regarding a procession due to take place on September 8 and, as a result, a meeting of the Public Processions Committee has been called to consider the proposed march.
“Officers had asked the organiser to change its proposed route to take the procession away from St Alphonsus’ church, but this was refused.”
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: “It is dismaying that yet another attempt is being made to parade past St Alphonsus in the wake of the shameful scenes of last month. It is concerning that organisers do not have the wisdom and sense themselves to suggest a re-route.
“We would hope that the warnings of Police Scotland about the threat to safety and public order, expressed just last week on the occasion of another attempted march past the church, will be heeded and that the parade will be re-routed.”
No-one from the Royal Black Preceptory was available for comment.
The Public Processions Committee meet on Monday.