Imperial Orange Council

The Imperial Orange Council (IOC), also referred to simply as the Orange Council, and sometimes the World Orange Council or International Orange Council, is the supreme deliberative and coordinating council body of the international Loyal Orange Institution, also known as the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternity based in Northern Ireland and founded in 1795. The fraternity itself commemorates Ulster Protestant and Orange heritage, mainly through Orange walks, especially when thousands gather for the annual Twelfth of July processions, which commemorates King William III in his victory in the Battle of the Boyne.

The Orange Council serves to accommodate Grand Orange Lodges around the world. The Council consists of representatives from the recognised Grand Orange Lodges and is responsible for maintaining the Institution's constitution and principles and pushing modern Orangeism within each nations jurisdictions. Imperial Orange Council officials include an elected Imperial Grand Master (President), Treasurer and Secretary. A Ladies' Meeting also takes place during the Imperial Orange Council event to discuss Women's Orange Lodges.

The Imperial Orange Council was founded in July 1866 to unite all Grand Orange Lodges around the world following the first international Orange Conference held at Belfast Orange Hall. The international Orange Council meeting is held in a different location in July triennially, with up to 170 delegates attending, and takes place over a couple of days. Grand Masters from all around the world attend, including England, Scotland, Togo, Ghana, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.

History

The Imperial Orange Council was established on 18 July 1866, following the first international Orange Conference was held at Belfast Orange Hall on Clifton Street, north Belfast. It was set up to act as a central body for coordinating the activities of the Orange Order which had expanded across the British Empire. By this time, autonomous Grand Lodges had been established in several countries, including Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, each administering Orange affairs within its own jurisdiction.

In 1994, the first Imperial Orange Council meeting was held in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand hosted the meeting in Auckland. That same year, Emmanuel Aboki Essien became the first African Imperial Grand Master, and coincidentally the first French speaking Imperial Grand Master was elected. The Togo-born Orangeman joined Orange Lodges in his home country as well as Ghana.

In 2009, members travelled to Belfast for the meeting in Stormont, Belfast.

In 2012, the Imperial Orange Council meeting took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Delegates from Ghana and Togo were denied access due to visa issues.

In 2015, the Imperial Orange Council met in Liverpool, England.

In 2018, the Orange council met in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The 2021 Orange Council meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, Enniskillen hosted the Imperial Orange Council meeting for the first time. This was the first time the meeting was held for 6 years, with the last one being 2018.

Role The Imperial Orange Council is not a governing body over individual Grand Lodges but acts as a coordinating council representing the recognised sovereign jurisdictions of the Loyal Orange Institution. Each member Grand Lodge retains complete authority over Orange affairs within its own territory as they have autonomy that has been granted from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

The responsibilities of the Imperial Orange Council include:

Maintaining and interpreting the Imperial Constitution of the Loyal Orange Institution. Uniting Grand Orange Lodges. Answering questions and concerns from Grand Orange Lodges. The state of Orangeism and Protestantism. Encouraging cooperation between Grand Orange Lodges. Promoting the principles and objects of the Orange Institution internationally. Organising regular meetings of delegates from member jurisdictions. The Council also serves as the highest court of appeal on constitutional matters affecting multiple jurisdictions.

Membership Membership of the Imperial Orange Council consists of delegates appointed by the recognised sovereign Grand Lodges of the Loyal Orange Institution. Representation is determined by the Council's constitution, with each Grand Lodge sending accredited delegates to its meetings.

Historically, represented jurisdictions have included:

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland Grand Orange Lodge of England Grand Orange Lodge of Canada Grand Orange Lodge of the United States of America Grand Orange Lodge of Australia Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana Grand Orange Lodge of Togo Other recognised sovereign Grand Lodges established throughout the Commonwealth and elsewhere.

Imperial Orange Council

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