Columban Mission in China
In 1912 Fr. Edward Galvin from Cork, Ireland volunteered for China. Very soon he was joined by two other volunteers, Frs. Paddy Reilly and Joe O'Leary. During the next four years the idea of an Irish mission society was slowly conceived by Galvin and his friends. In 1916 Galvin returned to Ireland where he met another young priest and Professor of Theology, Fr. John Blowick. They joined forces and together created the Maynooth Mission to China as a new mission society. It was known initially as the Maynooth Mission to China and later as the Missionary Society of St Columban.
The first group of 11 Columbans arrived in Shanghai in 1920. They joined Fr. Galvin at his headquarters in Hanyang, Central China. Fr. Galvin became Bishop of Hanyang in 1927. In 1939 the Society accepted new pastoral responsibilities. The diocese of Nancheng was established with Columban Fr. Patrick Cleary as bishop. The number of Catholics was growing. Also, the Columban Society found itself responding to many political pressures in China, aiding the victims of natural catastrophes, war and banditry. By 1947 the Society had 150 priests working there.
Communist Revolution
After the revolution of 1949 the Communists forbade all "western" influences.
All religions were condemned. With the expulsion of Bishops Galvin and
Cleary in 1952 as "enemies of the people", Columbans felt proud that they
had helped the Catholic Church to grow to 3 million Catholics.
China and the Columban Society Today
The Society has a research and liaison office for China in Hong Kong.
From this office the Society facilitates contacts with Church leaders
and travel to and from China. Three Columbans teach English at universities
in Beijing, Wuhan and Canton. The Columban Sisters teach skills handling
wool in a spinning and knitting factory for women in Wuhan.
A whole new approach is now necessary since it is now possible for Westerners to work in mainland China again. Within China this new approach has been taking the form of providing foreign teachers - volunteer Columbans and lay professionals (over 100 by 1995) placed in Chinese universities with Columban mediation. Outside China there have been some moves towards wider networking in China-related work.
While serving the humanitarian needs of the people, this collaborative effort will help to promote understanding and friendship between China and the other nations of the world. It will also provide an opportunity for those from outside to learn something of China's rich history, tradition and culture.