A PRIEST who was allegedly attacked during an Orange Order march has called for council action over whether parades should be allowed to go past Catholic churches.

The suggestion was made as council executives called for another protestant organisation to be banned from walking past St Alphonsus Church where Canon Tom White was allegedly lunged at and spat on while speaking to parishioners outside following mass as an Orange walk took place on July 7.

The Apprentice Boys of Derry (Bridgeton) want to hold a Remembrance Day procession which would go past the church on November 11 on their way to Cathedral Square.

On Tuesday council officers are recommending that the parade be re-routed away from the church even though though they admit they have marched on a similar route past the church for ten years without causing any issues or concerns.

The Herald:

A previous ABOD march

Superintendent John McBride in a report says that there is a "risk to public order" by allowing the parade to pass the church.

The officer had met with Canon White to discuss the possibility of the parade passing the church but he "respectfully requested" that no parades be allowed past the church until after the trial of the man accused of assaulting him.

A 24-year-old man appeared in court accused of an assault on Canon White, aggravated by religious prejudice.

And he will tell the public processions committee that Canon White also suggests allowing Glasgow City Council time to carry out a public consulation exercise "on the rights and wrongs of allowing such parades to walk past Catholic churches".

The Herald:

Supt McBride said Canon White referred to wanting a "new normal" in terms of his parishioners not feeling "afraid or threatened" by such parades.

Supt McBride, who in charge of operations and justice at London Road Police Office, said it can be "reasonably expected" that there will be a "significant" protest to the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade if it goes past St Alphonsus Church and Canon White had indicated any demo would be with "his blessing".

The parade therefore"causes a concern for the police in terms of public order and disruption to the life of the community", said the officer.

The ABOD had made attempts to alleviate the concerns of the Catholic community by parading past the church early on Sunday morning when no service is ongoing.

And they purposely rerouted the return parade, which marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, to ensure it does not go past the church.

But Supt McBride said: "It is my view that the resources which would be required to police the parade would be significant and could be considered as disproportionate to the numbers involved in the parade.

"I am also mindful that there is an absence of any persuasive reason for this specific route other than it is the preferred route. Suitable alternatives are known and available which would alleviate public concerns and considerably reduce the risk of disorder and disruption to the life of the community."

Carole Forrest, the city council's director of governance and solicitor said asked the ABOD organiser to re-route the proposed outward route away from the church, but could not reach an agreement.

She advised that local authorities must recognise the "fundamental rights" contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to freedom of assembly and of association.

But she will tell councillors who will have the final say: "Participants in the procession will still be able to promote their cause and beliefs, maintaining the agreed assembly and dispersal points but changing the outward route. It is considered that these restrictions are proportionate in order to minimise the risk to public safety, public order and disruption to the life of the community."

Last month, the Rising Star of Bridgeton Royal Black Preceptory, which is formed from Orangemen, indicated that it was to launch a court fight with the council after being banned from holding a parade past the church amid protests.