Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si’ to “protect our common home” came alive at the Columban Schools “Biodiversity Matters” media competition, with the award winners announced on 21 March – the UN’s International Day of Forests.
The competition, which included entries from 29 schools, emphasised the importance of young voices regarding environmental matters.
Becki Bradbury of the RE Department at the Loreto Grammar School in Altrincham who promoted the competition, said that it reminded us “how important care for our common home is”.
Those who took part produced a piece that demonstrated an awareness of biodiversity.
Ellen Teague, who works in justice, peace and equality issues at Columban Missionaries in Britain, said that the competition has broadened young people’s understanding of biodiversity.
It allowed them to realise that the Church “helps young people to act on personal, local and national levels to build sustainable lifestyles which leave space for other species”, she said, adding that “great inspiration has clearly been drawn from Laudato Si’”.
In Britain, the winning article was written by Austin Beenham of Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley, Lancashire.
The Tablet’s Ruth Gledhill, who was one of the judges, said that the article “incorporates calls to action, strong arguments and personal experience along with knowledge and accurate citation of Catholic Social Thought”. The winning image was from Chidera Anyakora from Loreto in Altrincham, whose piece on wildlife mirrored the unique nature of our world.
In Ireland, judges included William Scholes, the assistant editor of Irish News and Fr Jason Antiquera, a Columban missionary artist from the Philippines.
The winning text was by Cliodhna McKeever of St Catherine’s College, Armagh, while the winner of the image competition was Alanah Mckenzie of St Paul’s Secondary School, Dublin. Fr Jason Antiquera said of all the participants that “the future belongs to artists like them”.
The Missionary Society of St Columban is inspired by Columban spirituality and advocates respect for the earth. It is committed to protecting biodiversity and cultivating a culture of peace between Christians and other religions to draw attention to global injustices.
For further information, visit www.columbans.co.uk.
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