On the first day of the three-day international XXVI Columbanus Gathering in Carlow, which showcased the region’s spiritual, cultural and historical connections to St Columbanus, Columban Missionaries Fr Seán McDonagh and Sr Ann Gray spoke about the climate crisis and care for creation.
The Symposium at St Patrick’s College Carlow, “If You Want to Know the Creator, Understand Creation” (Columbanus, Sermon 1), was facilitated by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP.
In his talk, Fr Seán McDonagh told participants, “St Columban has much to teach us about sensitivity to God’s creation which is much needed in our world and Church today.”
All photos courtesy of Patrick Bramley/Kildare & Leighlin Diocese.
He highlighted how down through the ages, many Christians did not believe in any kinship or compassion between human beings and other creatures.
St Augustine, he noted, said: “Reason has not been given to animals and so, by the most just ordinances of the Creator, both their lives and their deaths is subject to our use.”
St Thomas Aquinas believed animals had no ethical value. “We have no duties of charity, nor duties of any kind to the lower animals, as neither we have for sticks and stones…”
But one exception was St Francis of Assisi.
Today most Christians believe that Christianity focuses on redemption of humans – saving them “from the world”.
Fr Seán stressed that they often fail to grasp the fact that humans are damaging the world through climate change, the destruction of species and the pollution of water.
You can see Fr Seán McDonagh’s powerpoint presentation here: St Columban & Creation- Carlow
The weekend’s programme of events highlighted the recently established Columban Way, a 571km walking route inspired by Columbanus’ journey from County Carlow to Bangor in County Down.
On Day 2 of the the XXVI Columbanus Gathering in Carlow, pilgrims walked a section of the route from the Nine Stones on Mount Leinster to Myshall, based on the theme of “Walking Together in Hope.”
You can watch the XXVI Columbanus Day Mass on Sunday 13th July 2025 at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow.
The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin.
Concelebrants were: Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland; Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin; Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly of Cashel & Emily; Bishop Gianni Ambrosio, Bishop Emeritus of Piacenza-Bobbio; Bishop Adriano Cevolotto of Piacenza-Bobbio; Bishop Guillane Leschallier de Lisle of Meaux; Bishop Maurizio Malvestiti of Lodi; Bishop Ray Browne of Kerry; Bishop Michael Duignan of Galway and Clonfert; Bishop Paul Dempsey of Dublin; Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin and Achonry; Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick; as well as Fr David Kenneally, Regional Director of the Columbansin Ireland and Fr Pat Hughes, Parish Priest of Myshall, Co Carlow. Cardinal Seán Brady was also present.