Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore Leads Mission to Empower Catholic Families in the Digital Age

Chennai, February 23, 2025 – The Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, in partnership with the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, organised a two-day workshop on February 19-20 at the Pastoral Centre in Santhome. The event focused on revitalising the family apostolate in Tamil Nadu amid modern technological challenges.

Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore led the initiative, with Rev. Fr. Jayakumar, Director of the Chennai Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, overseeing the program. A team of experts, including Mr. Alex Antony, Dr. P. A. Edwin, Sr. Sagayam, Mrs. Nirmala, Mrs. Jaya, and Mr. Raymond, coordinated the sessions.

Addressing Family and Technology Challenges

Archbishop Antonysamy set the tone with a compelling inaugural address. He spoke of the digital era’s profound impact on families, highlighting the Church’s responsibility to provide guidance.

Rev. Dr. Philip Kavithazhe opened the first session by highlighting families as key players in the Church’s synodal journey. Rev. Dr. Tom Kainikkara followed with insights on the synodal way of discussion, stressing the role of small groups in fostering dialogue.  

A panel discussion, moderated by Rev. Dr. Jacob Koippally, examined how families could embrace synodality while staying rooted in faith. Participants raised concerns and shared experiences in an interactive plenary session.  

The focus then shifted to technology’s impact on family life. Rev. Fr. Arulraj Gali, CSC, National Secretary of the CCBI Family Commission, addressed the influence of media and digital culture, outlining its benefits and challenges. Dr. P. A. Edwin led a discussion on the theme, followed by group presentations proposing faith-centred media engagement strategies.

Proposals for Strengthening Family Apostolate

The second day shifted to action as Rev. Fr. Thomas Elango outlined strategies to strengthen the family apostolate in a tech-driven era.  

Mrs. Nirmala led discussions on faith-based digital literacy and community outreach. Mr. Joseph Ravi Kumar presented the final report, highlighting key takeaways before Rev. Fr. Jayakumar closed the event with a prayer.  

With technology reshaping daily life, the Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore plans to implement these insights across Tamil Nadu, ensuring the Church remains a guiding force in family life both online and offline.

Fr. Ritchie Vincent

Secretary, Commission for Social Communications

Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore