Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly Opens in Quezon City, Philippines

QUEZON CITY, Philippines, September 11, 2026: More than 100 Catholic digital communicators, content creators, media professionals, clergy, religious and faith influencers from across Asia have gathered in Quezon City for the first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly, a Vatican-backed initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration and mission in the digital sphere.

The four-day assembly, being held from September 10 to 13 at the Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) grounds in Metro Manila, is organised jointly by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communications (FABC-OSC) and Radio Veritas Asia, in partnership with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication through the Fully Present Network.

Held under the theme “Influencers to Witnesses: A Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia”, and inspired by Acts 4:20 — “For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” — the gathering seeks to develop a continent-wide network of digital missionaries committed to sharing the Gospel through contemporary communication platforms.

The assembly opened with a Welcome Mass at the RVA Three Saints Chapel, presided over by Fr Felmar Fiel, SVD, General Manager of Radio Veritas Asia. Seventeen priests concelebrated the liturgy, including five from India. Among the concelebrants were Fr John Mi Shen, RVA Program Director and FABC-OSC Executive Secretary, and Fr Cyril Victor Joseph, Executive Secretary of the CBCI Office of Social Communication.

Delegates also highlighted the cultural diversity of the Asian Church by attending the opening celebrations in their respective national attire.

From influencers to witnesses

In his homily, Fr Fiel drew on the recent FABC Plenary Assembly in Jakarta and described the Church's mission in Asia in terms of “bridges” and “bridge builders” amid the continent's diverse languages, cultures, histories, political systems and religious traditions.

Using a distinctly Filipino gesture of pointing with the lips, he encouraged digital missionaries to “point with our posts”, stressing that digital platforms can help the Church reach people and communities where a physical presence may be limited.

He cited livestreamed Masses, which allow elderly and others unable to attend church physically to participate in worship, as an example of how digital communication can build bridges and extend the Church's pastoral presence.

Fr Fiel, however, cautioned against turning digital mission into self-promotion.

“If we point only to ourselves, we remain influencers. But if our lives, our stories, our creativity and digital platforms point people toward Jesus, then we become witnesses.”

Drawing on St Paul's teaching in the First Letter to the Corinthians, he stressed that digital evangelisation must be grounded in love, Christian belonging and authentic witness rather than the pursuit of attention or popularity.

Cardinal Tagle urges authentic influence

The gathering brought together traditional Asian dances, a presentation on the history and achievements of Radio Veritas Asia, and a video message from Cardinal Antonio Tagle as part of its welcome and cultural programme.

Cardinal Tagle encouraged the participants to allow Jesus and his Word to be the primary influence in their own lives, saying that only an authentic relationship with Christ can enable digital missionaries to influence others meaningfully.

Participants also viewed the three finalists in a short-film competition organised jointly by Radio Veritas Asia and FABC-OSC to commemorate Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si’ and promote its message of care for creation.

The assembly features speakers from across Asia and beyond, including Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr of San Pablo; Dr Natasa Govekar of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication; Fr John Mi Shen; Fr Columba Jordan, CFR; and Pie Mabanta-Fenomeno of SIGNIS Philippines.

Other speakers include representatives of the Local Organising Committee for World Youth Day Seoul 2027, Peter Monthienvichienchai of SIGNIS/LICAS News, Michael Unland of CAMECO, Edwin Lopez of CBCP ECSC/EWTN, Dr Anna Jihyun You, Fr Felmar Fiel and Dr Cyril Victor Joseph.

Evening Prayer was led by Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR, at the Three Saints Chapel, followed by Eucharistic Adoration led by Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr, Chairman of the FABC-OSC.

The assembly seeks to move Catholic digital communication beyond the culture of online influence towards a deeper vocation of Christian witness, encouraging participants to use digital platforms not to draw attention to themselves but to point people towards Jesus and the Gospel.

By Catholic Connect Reporter