Vatican News
MORE than 100 Catholic digital missionaries, communicators, content creators, and faith influencers from across Asia have concluded a four-day gathering aimed at transforming online influence into authentic Christian witness.
The first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly took place on Sep 10–13 at the Radio Veritas Asia campus in Quezon City, in the Philippines.
Organised under the theme “Influencers to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia,” the gathering drew inspiration from the words of the Apostles: “We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
The assembly encouraged participants to move beyond simply producing online content and instead become witnesses rooted in communion and the missionary dimension of faith. It also promoted formation and a shared vision for digital evangelization across the continent.
The event was jointly organised by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) and Radio Veritas Asia, in partnership with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication through the Fully Present Network.
Pope Leo XIV sent a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, encouraging participants to grow “as authentic witnesses of Jesus Christ in their digital content.”
Nataša Govekar, Director of the Dicastery for Communication’s Theological-Pastoral Department, attended the event.
Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, delivered the homily at the opening Mass.
“We bring Jesus, not by shouting over Asia, but by drawing close to Asia, listening to its people, walking with our people, serving them, and gently making the love of Jesus heard and experienced,” Archbishop Garcera said.
Authentic witnesses of Christ
In his keynote address, Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit, Jr., Chairman of the FABC Office of Social Communication, said the Church must recognise that people are already living, seeking meaning, and forming relationships in digital spaces.
“The digital highways are waiting,” he told participants, noting that the Church is already present in digital spaces so the question is what kind of Church people will encounter online.
Bishop Maralit outlined five necessary shifts: from content to encounter, audiences to communities, virality to fidelity, competition to collaboration and influence to witness.
“Social media is an appetizer; Eucharist is the destination,” he said.
Building bridges online
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan, presided over the assembly’s closing Mass on Sunday.
Reflecting on the Gospel’s call to forgiveness, he warned that the internet can connect millions while leaving people lonely, and that algorithms can gather users into groups while also dividing them into hostile camps.
“When others spread anger, answer with courage,” he said. “When others spread contempt, answer with dignity. When others close the door, become a bridge.” – Vatican News
