On the last day of the first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly, held in Radio Veritas Asia, Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines, from September 10-13, 2026, San Pablo Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit encouraged digital missionaries to use social media as a pathway for faith and mission, rather than merely seeking followers, likes, and visibility.
Bishop Maralit also emphasized the need for transformation from being an “influencer” to becoming an authentic witness of Christ in the digital space.
He also highlighted that amidst the toxicities in the world of social media, young people and other users of digital platforms should seek this opportunity to become powerful instruments in propagating the culture of faith, love, and synodality among others.
“There has to be a movement from influencer to witnessing. Instead of just posting for attention, we should post in the name of Christ, hoping to inspire good in the world. We must promote a culture of faith, charity, understanding, and listening,” he also said in an interview over Radio Veritas.
Before he ended his message on the last day of the assembly, Bishop Maralit encouraged digital missionaries to discover their mission and be a part of the Church’s presence in the digital world. He reminded them that young people are not just the future of the Church but are also part of God’s “now,” urging them to use their talents and platforms to bring goodness to the world.
Affirming the call of Bishop Maralit, Rev. Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD, General Manager of Radio Veritas Asia, also urged digital missionaries to utilize their posts and online platforms to guide others to Christ giving importance to clarity in the mission of spreading God’s word. He said, If content remains self-focus, the creator will only be an influencer. However, if the posts direct others to Christ, they become true witnesses of faith.
Fr. Fiel also reiterated the main objective of the assembly, which is to create a space for digital missionaries to share experiences, learn from one another, and build new collaborations for the digital mission in Asia.
“Nandito tayo ngayon sa loob mismo ng compound ng Radio Veritas Asia for the first-ever Asian Catholic Digital Missionaries Assembly, kung saan we create spaces for digital missionaries to come together, learn from each other, share stories, and explore more collaboration in the future,” he said.
The first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly was organized by Radio Veritas Asia in partnership with the Federation of Asian Bishops, the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, and the Fully Present Network.
Photo by John Noel Guarte / RCAM Media | Photogallery
