Your are cordially invited to…

Dr. Enzo Farinella, Vatican Radio correspondent and former Bureau Chief of ANSA (Italian News Agency) from Ireland, will present a talk on Irish monks in Europe. The former Irish Ambassador to Italy and Austria, Frank Cogan, and Senator Ronan Mullen will introduce the Author.

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enzo.farinella@gmail.com or barbarapehi@hotmail.com

Irish monks in Europe

From the 6th to the 10th century Ireland with its many schools was a beacon of civilization. Its pupils poured like floods into Britain and the Continent, carrying with them the torch of learning and the light of Christianity. Its teachers conquered whole nations and they became counsellors of Kings and Emperors.

King Alfred, who studied in Ireland, called in 891on Sweeny of Clonmacnoise, “doctor Scotorum peritissimus”, to assist at the foundation of Oxford’s Universityon the example of the then famous Irish schools.  La Sorbonne, Pavia, Prague, Vienna’ Universities and Salzburg were founded or signed by Irish monks. Many European towns were established by them.

Columbanus, founder of Annegray, Luxeuil and Fonatines in France and of Bobbio in Italy, was the most eminent representative of Irish asceticism. He was one of the greatest Europeans of his time, the Father of modern Europe” and “the Patron Saint of those who are trying to build a united Europe”.  according to the influential Robert Schuman.

In this island monasticism, source of civilization and of artistic creativity, wrote a fantastic page in the history of Ireland and of the world (Pope Francis).

To these Irish Saints and scholars, Europe owes a tremendous “debt” of gratitude and appreciation. 

The message of the Christian-civilizing-European function preached by the Irish missionaries immediately after the fall of the Roman Empire is still valid today and it can offer points of reflection to our troubled EU.

Ireland can claim the credit for bringing culture and values to Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and the Low Countries, as well as to other parts of Europe. This is a lot for a small country like Ireland.

The Irish monks’ ideals of respect for the human person and its supreme dignity, for justice, equality and solidarity among all human beings, stand as the necessary blueprint to build together the Common European Home, which remains the most fascinating, challenging, courageous and important political project ever proposed in Europe!