A heated council debate over whether or not a Saint Columbanus trail is religious
A war of words has erupted in a County Down council over a sixth century Irish Christian saint and missionary, and a Europe-wide walking trail honouring his achievement and travels.
He stayed at Bangor until 590 AD, when he was granted permission to travel to the continent. The term 'Europe' was first used to refer to a geographical entity in his writings. A council report was commissioned looking at the “religious aspect” of the request. The report came in the wider context of a debate about the council supporting or funding religious organisations, as well as the definition of “religious” organisations.
The council report states: “Support for the charter has been sought from councils, bodies, and individuals across Europe, to both support the development of the Columban Way as a European walking route, and to further develop the relationships between the nations where Columbanus had a lasting influence. This includes ROI, NI, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Italy.
It states: “Friends of Columbanus have confirmed the primary objective of the Columban Charter is to help support and promote pilgrimage, cultural and scientific activities relating to Columbanus and his followers. “The Friends of Columbanus describes itself as cross-community and the launch of the Columban Way has cross-community and cross party support. I hope the chamber can get behind the council signing up to the charter.”
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