Orange march plan past priest attack spot 'extraordinarily insensitive'

The Orange Order said the application for the parade was an annual process

The Catholic Church has called for a planned Orange Order parade to be re-routed as it would pass the spot where a priest was spat on last year.

Parish priest Canon Tom White was assaulted outside St Alphonsus' Church in Glasgow's London Road during the annual Boyne march in July 2018.

Bradley Wallace, 24, from Uddingston, was convicted of the attack in January.

The decision on whether to allow the march on 6 July rests with Glasgow City Council.

The Orange Order has applied for marchers to take part in 6 July parades across the city - with members from the Orange And Purple District 37, Orange And Purple District 40 and Rutherglen Orange And Purple District 20 groups due to pass St Alphonsus' Church as part of the route.

'Unduly provocative'

However, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said the application was inappropriate.

Canon Tom White was spat on by Bradley Wallace during the annual Boyne march in July 2018

He told the BBC Scotland news website: "It seems extraordinarily insensitive to plan such controversial marches past churches which will be full of people, knowing the anxiety and fear which will be caused to worshippers and the wider community.

"After the distressing scenes of last year in this precise location, sensitivities are high.

"Many regard the planned marches as unduly provocative. We would trust that the police will take these issues into consideration when offering advice to the city council on how to proceed."

'Power to ban'

In a statement, the council said the application was still being considered and that a final decision on the route's path was still to be taken.

A spokeswoman added: "As with any other procession, the council will consult with Police Scotland on whether it has any concerns regarding public order, public safety, damage to property or disruption to the life of the community as a consequence of this notification.

"Local authorities do not have the power to ban or prevent parades on the basis that some citizens may dislike or be offended by them; or that they pass a place of worship."

St Alphonsus Church is on London Road in the east end of Glasgow

Orange marchers were forced to re-route last year's Remembrance Day parade away from a church in Glasgow's east end amid fears of violent clashes.

Glasgow City Council's public processions committee told organisers they must avoid St Mary's Church in Calton.

The move followed the attack on Canon White four months previously.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said the latest application was an annual process.

He added: "The Grand Lodge looks forward to a meaningful dialogue with the police on this issue."