Ireland
Columban Mission History in Ireland
The Columban Society was founded in Ireland in 1916. Initially, it was
known as the MAYNOOTH MISSION TO CHINA.
The first seminary at Dalgan Park, County Mayo opened its doors in 1918.
A number of ordained diocesan priests joined the Society in the first
years of its existence. A monthly magazine, The Far East, was launched
to promote interest in the missions, especially in China. Very quickly
the idea of a mission to China captured the imaginations of the people
of Ireland and the Society attracted more young members and support increased.
In 1940 the students moved to the new seminary at Dalgan Park, Navan.
Presence in Ireland
Up until the 1980s, the presence of the Society in Ireland was confined
to promotion of mission through visiting parishes, vocation work and the
magazine that was virtually in every home in Ireland.
Ireland is now in a process of cultural transformation - from a rural
society marked by uniformity to an urban society marked by increasing
diversity. This context is marked by greater openness to new ideas and
ways of living, greater division between the poor and the rest of society
and multi-culturism.
The cross-cultural experience of Columbans in the areas of social justice,
concern for the earth and dialogue speaks very much to the needs of the
Irish situation as it is now. The challenge is to find new ways of engaging
people in the task of responding to those needs.
Pastoral Activities and Outreach...
Mission Education
Much effort has gone into informing and educating people on the meaning
of mission today in the light of the Columban experience. A mission awareness
centre at Dalgan Park graphically portrays Columban mission from its beginnings
to the challenges of this present time. The mission education department
offers seminars on topics related to evangelization, inter-faith dialogue,
justice and peace and ecology to colleges and schools throughout the country.
People are invited to become Companions in Mission - to involve themselves
in their community to promote mission.
Justice, Peace and the Integrity Of Creation
Education and campaigning work on issues of national and international
poverty and injustice, and on local and global environmental issues have
figured prominently. In particular the office works through the Debt and
Development Coalition to help raise public awareness of this issue, and
to influence Irish Government policy. Other recent campaigns have included
those on fair-trade issues between the European Union and the Third World,
and bio-diversity.
Lay Mission
The Irish Region has promoted the Lay Mission program since its inception.
Columban lay missionaries teams from Fiji and the Philippines have ministerd
here since 1988. irish lay missionaries have gone to the Philippines,
Chile and Korea.
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