Karnataka Regional Social Communication Secretaries Meet to Strengthen Church’s Digital Mission
Mangaluru: Karnataka Regional Commission for Social Communication held its meeting of Diocesan Secretaries and Joint Secretaries at the Sandesha Foundation, Mangaluru. Social Communications Commission Secretaries and Joint Secretaries from all 14 dioceses of Karnataka came together to discern the Church’s mission in today’s rapidly evolving media culture.
“Communication Is at the Heart of God”
Delivering the Presidential Address, Most Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary and Chairman of the Commission, rooted the mission of Church communications in the Trinitarian theology of communion. “God is the perfect communicator,” he said. “In the Most Holy Trinity, we see divine relationship; in Christ, the Word made flesh, we encounter communication in its most personal and salvific form.”
He reminded the participants that communication is not merely a skill or function, but a spiritual vocation and a missionary witness. Bishop Henry emphasized that social communication must serve synodality, foster inclusion, and proclaim the truth in love. Referring to the synodal journey of the Church, he said, “You are the voice of the Church in today’s world—called to communicate across boundaries with wisdom, humility, and the heart of Christ.”
Vision for a Pastoral Communication Culture
In his Welcome Address and Orientation, Fr. Sudeep Paul MSFS, who also serves as Director of Sandesha, set the tone for the day, describing the meeting as more than a gathering, a mission of discernment, direction, and dreaming together. “We are not here just as media producers, but as bridge-builders and missionary disciples in the digital world,” he said.
Fr. Sudeep presented a roadmap for regional social communications structured around two core goals:
1. Building a Well-Connected Catholic Community
Fr. Sudeep explained about the Catholic Connect App, a platform designed to:
• Share diocesan and parish-level news in real-time
• Offer spiritual resources, marriage preparation tools, and pilgrim services
• Foster unity and identity through the “My Diocese / My Parish” feature
With a vision to reach 5,000 users across Karnataka by 2028, the platform aims to make every Catholic institution and parish feel connected and empowered.
2. Creating a Media-Literate, Spiritually Nourished Church
In response to the digital challenges of misinformation, superficial content, and digital addiction, the commission plans to:
• Conduct media literacy training for youth, families, clergy, and educators
• Launch 10 model media clubs across dioceses
• Involve 1,000 youth in digital engagement by 2028
• Develop a central repository of faith-based multimedia content
“Our goal is not merely to adapt to media trends,” Fr. Sudeep explained, “but to lead with pastoral wisdom and Christ-centered creativity.”
Voices from the Field: Diocesan Reports
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the presentation of reports by each diocesan communication office. From vernacular video catechesis and youth-led digital evangelisation projects to live-streamed liturgies and parish newsletters, the sharing showcased both the vibrancy and variety of local initiatives across Karnataka.
Many secretaries highlighted the need for technical training, contextualized content, and localized support to strengthen their pastoral outreach.
Exploring AI Tools for Evangelisation
In the afternoon session, participants were trained by Fr. Roshan Dsouza on the use of emerging AI tools for pastoral communication. The practical workshop introduced AI for content creation, visual design, scriptwriting, and faith-based video production, offering new pathways for digital mission. The session reflected the commission’s commitment to staying current while rooted in the Church’s pastoral and moral values.
Moving Forward Together
The meeting concluded with a strong call to renewed commitment and communion. Action points included:
• Expanding the Catholic Connect App’s reach in each diocese
• Organizing local media literacy workshops
• Collaborating with the Family and Youth Commissions
• Creating content in local languages, rooted in liturgy and Catholic identity
In his closing message, Bishop Henry reminded the participants:
“Jesus is the Word made flesh. Our task is to make that Word visible, credible, and living — through every screen, every message, and every moment of encounter.”
A Church That Listens, Speaks, and Walks
The Karnataka Regional Office for Social Communications remains committed to building a media-literate, faith-filled, and connected Church, where communication is not only effective but pastoral, ethical, and synodal.
“Let every message we share, every video we post, and every story we tell reflect not just our skills — but the Gospel we are called to proclaim,” said Fr. Sudeep in his final exhortation.
— Regional Communications Desk, Sandesha Foundation, Mangaluru, June 25, 2025
