Columba

Life

Columba is believed to have been born around 521 at Gartan in Donegal, in northwestern Ireland. He came from a noble family of royal descent. His Latin name, "Columba," means "dove." In Irish he is called Colum Cille, and Korean Catholics render his name as "Golumba." He was educated at the monastic school of Moville. According to tradition, he founded monasteries in Ireland at Derry, Durrow, and elsewhere.

Around 560–561 the Battle of Cúl Dreimne was fought in Ireland, and Columba is said to have been implicated in it and censured by a church synod. A well-known story holds that the battle was caused by his secretly copying a psalter belonging to his teacher Finnian. However, this story first appears in sources written several centuries later, so its historicity is uncertain. Around 563 Columba crossed to the island of Iona with twelve companions and founded a monastery there. He died on Iona on June 9, 597. Tradition relates that he continued copying the Psalms to the very end and collapsed in the church during the midnight office.

Ministry and Achievements

• Monastery of Iona: The monastery was a center of prayer and learning and became the base for missions to Scotland and northern England. Lindisfarne, later founded in England, also belonged to Iona's network of monasteries.
• Mission to the Picts: Columba visited the court of Bridei, king of the Picts in northern Scotland, and preached the gospel through an interpreter. This visit is also recorded by Bede. However, the sources do not make clear whether the king actually converted, and scholars hold differing views.
• Church and kingship: Although he was not a bishop, he exercised great authority in the regional church. In 574 he is reported to have consecrated Áedán as king of Dál Riata (a rite of blessing performed at a king's installation).
• Copying and writings: He was renowned as an outstanding scribe. Three Latin poems are attributed to him.

The principal source for his life is the Life of Columba written by Adomnán (d. 704), the ninth abbot of Iona. The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church observe June 9 as his feast day.

Influence on the Korean Church

There is no direct historical connection between Columba and the Korean church. In Korean Protestant missiology and church history, he is presented as a leading example of "Celtic mission," which used small monastic communities as bases. Korean Presbyterian media have presented him as the starting point of Scottish Christianity. Among Korean pastors and church members who visit Scotland, the island of Iona is known as a pilgrimage destination.

Assessment

Columba is called the "Apostle to the Picts" and is regarded as the figure who laid the foundations of Scottish Christianity. At the same time, the following criticisms and limitations have been noted:

• Tradition of involvement in battle: Tradition links him to a battle in which many people died.
• Limitations of the sources: Adomnán's Life centers on miracle stories and lacks chronological information, which limits its value as a historical source. The story of the River Ness monster also first appears in this work.
• Synod of Whitby: At the synod of 664, the Iona tradition clashed with Roman practices, and on that occasion Wilfrid disparaged Columba's authority.

Interpretations also differ by tradition. Some Protestant writers emphasize that the Celtic church of Columba's day carried out its mission independently, before the influence of the Roman papacy had reached it. The Catholic Church venerates him as a saint.