The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the US, has slammed "the sectarian mockery of Pope Francis" in Lisburn, prompting a renewal of its call for the immediate appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
Neil Cosgrove, Political Education Chair of the AOH, issued the following statement: “Just hours after the world learned of the sad passing of Pope Francis, a loyalist band participating in the annual Apprentice Boys parade in Lisburn deliberately mocked the occasion by playing the sectarian anthem ‘No Pope of Rome’ before a cheering, hateful mob."
No, no Pope of Rome 🎶
Lisburn ABOD Easter Monday Parade 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/JT3E4ZCzvU
— Rangers FC & Linfield FC (@bluesbrothers86) April 21, 2025
Cosgrove said: "Among those partaking in this disgusting chorus of chauvinism were senior members of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party [DUP].
"Education Minister Paul Givan posted a photo of himself shaking hands with marchers, describing the event as 'a fabulous day in Lisburn… a fantastic parade with thousands out showing their support,' never questioning the bigotry being supported.
A fabulous day in Lisburn as we hosted the Apprentice Boys of Derry in Lisburn. A fantastic parade with thousands out showing their support 🥁 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/turAU6exlH
— Paul Givan (@paulgivan) April 21, 2025
"Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Edwin Poots similarly posted, 'Fantastic day in Lisburn – super crowds and a great atmosphere. Trust everyone enjoyed the day.'
"Mr. Poots must live in a vacuum to find such a poisonous atmosphere invigorating."
Fantastic day in Lisburn - super crowds and a great atmosphere. Trust everyone enjoyed the day.
Posted by Edwin Poots MLA on Monday, April 21, 2025
Cosgrove continued: “These events unfolded amid reports that, mere blocks away, Catholic residents of a nearby housing estate were receiving threats to leave their homes from loyalist paramilitaries.”
Acknowledging the DUP’s subsequent statement on the incident, which praised the parade organizers while brushing off the sectarian mockery as the actions of "a few," Cosgrove added: “Calling this de minimis spin an apology is an insult.
"It should be noted that none of the DUP members who attended and lavished praise on the parade have modified their statements; at least they are honest in their sectarianism.”
Cosgrove continued: “As the rest of the 21st-century world - people of all faiths and none - mourned a man of peace and a voice for tolerance, senior leaders in the DUP showed they remain mentally anchored in the 17th century.
"That sitting government members - and particularly an education minister entrusted with young minds - could show no condemnation, no embarrassment, no call for respect to what transpired is intolerable.
"Their silence speaks volumes: 'Qui tacet consentire videtur' - he who is silent is understood to consent.”
The AOH stressed that these incidents are not isolated, claiming that they are prima facie evidence of how far Northern Ireland remains from fully realizing the vision of the Good Friday Agreement.
“In a world already reeling from war in Ukraine and escalating violence in the Middle East, we cannot afford to let the Good Friday Agreement fail - or allow it to slip into secondary importance,” Cosgrove stated.
“The United States’ role in brokering that agreement was a defining moment of American leadership. It remains a powerful example of what makes this nation great: the ability to broker peace, to bring people together, and to stand on the side of justice.
"That legacy must not be abandoned.”
Cosgrove said the AOH is urging US President Donald Trump to "appoint a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland without delay- someone with the authority and presence to engage directly with all parties, uphold the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, and confront the growing signs of sectarian retrenchment."
Cosgrove concluded: “Silence and disengagement risk being misread as indifference.
"At a time when American leadership is needed more than ever, re-engaging through a Special Envoy would reaffirm the United States’ role as a guarantor of peace and a voice for justice.
"For the credibility of the Good Friday Agreement and the hope Northern Ireland represents, the U.S. must remain actively engaged.”
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