The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, is "not even considering" disciplinary action against the rector of Drumcree, his official spokeswoman has said.
Despite the Rev John Pickering's refusal to require Orange Order members and his parishioners to pledge good behaviour at next's Sunday's service, disciplinary action was not being considered at the moment, she said, because the Archbishop was "still hoping some local accommodation may come".
Earlier, in an interview on RTE radio's News at One, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, said while Mr Pickering could not be transferred to another parish, it "remains to be seen" whether he can be sacked as rector of Drumcree. It "could be" an option he said, but it was "a difficult one to call and I would not like to be in the Archbishop's [of Armagh] shoes on that one". There was "all sorts of constitutional law" involved, he added.
Last month, the Church of Ireland General Synod called on Mr Pickering to withdraw the lodges' invitation to the service at Drumcree church if they did not make three pledges of good behaviour.
Under the pledges, the Orangemen would have been required to obey "the law of the land before and after the service". They would also have to avoid "any action before or after the service which diminishes the sanctity of that worship" and to avoid "the use of all church property or its environs in any civil protest following the service". Dr Empey insisted in yesterday's radio interview that Mr Pickering was not being asked "to shut the church door on the Orangemen. "If people come to worship . . . then it is appropriate that you respect the wishes of the Church of Ireland and avoid the violence, the lewdness, and the abuse which really follows these church services and which is appalling."
He said Mr Pickering had "flouted" the will of the synod. "At the moment he is going against not just his own bishop but against the stated will of the Church of Ireland". The Archbishop acknowledged that it was "very likely" that Mr Pickering was speaking and acting in line with the wishes of the vast majority of his own congregation.
The church did not "disagree with lawful protest" but if the Orangemen "don't accept the Parades Commission then they have other courses - utilising the legal process in the United Kingdom or even in Europe if they feel that strongly about it".
Whatever action was to be taken against Mr Pickering was a matter between Archbishop Eames and the rector and select vestry of Drumcree, the Archbishop of Dublin added.
