The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey, has said there is a common perception that the reputation of the church has been harmed by the Drumcree standoff.
He has given his full support to the Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, who has asked Portadown Orangemen to honour three pledges before they will be welcome at their annual Sunday service in Drumcree church next year.
Dr Mehaffey was speaking at the diocesan synod in Armagh yesterday. "Drumcree has become a household word and all for the wrong reasons," he said.
"In the perception of many people throughout Ireland and far beyond, the good name of the Church of Ireland has been tarnished and its credibility damaged. Neither the Church of Ire land nor the Orange Order, nor any organisation for that matter, can wash its hands and try to distance itself from any civil disorder which may arise out of attendance at church services.
"I am aware that there is serious unease within the ranks of the Orange Order and a conviction that radical action must be taken by the order to avoid another Drumcree."
Dr Mehaffey said it must be acknowledged that while Drumcree had become the centre of attention, most church parades passed off peacefully and without incident.
The three pledges outlined by Dr Eames are: to avoid any action before or after the service which would diminish the sanctity of that worship; to obey the law of the land, both before and after the service, and to respect the integrity of the Church of Ireland in word and action, making no use of church property or its environs, in any civil protest following the service.
The Armagh County Grand Master, Mr Denis Watson, said most members would have no difficulty agreeing to the pledges. However, a leading Orangeman, Mr David McNarry, described them as "a recipe for disaster" for the order and said he did not want to see members divided into the pledged and unpledged.