The Columban Schools Journalism competition is in its third year and the title for 2020 is “Tackling our Throwaway Culture”.

“This Muslim leader learned from these two Columbans the value of love and forgiveness and this brought a radical change to his life and a new and more life-giving interpretation of the Koran.”

“It is very clear that good journalism really does matter. Social media has opened the doors to so-called ‘fake news’, widespread anonymous comment, and a scarcity of thoroughly researched news stories.”

“Today, Columban missionaries are at the forefront of teaching about reconciliation and justice, caring for the earth, our common home, and pointing out how the poorest peoples of the world suffer most from the throwaway culture of greed and waste.”

The Far East magazine is holding a competition for young journalists which invites students (aged 15-18 inclusive) to write an article or make a video report on the topic: ‘Migrants Are Our Neighbours’.

The Columbans were “our heroes and we looked up to them, we admired their courage, and the way in which they risked everything for the Gospel of Christ" - Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam.

“To keep silent in the face of evil is to be an accomplice” bishops warn as death toll passes 7,000 killings in just seven months.

One hundred years ago, on 10 October 1916, the Bishops of Ireland gave their blessing to a new venture known as the Maynooth Mission to China. It became known as the Society of St Columban on 29 June 1918.