Despite differences in language, culture, history, and religious traditions, Christians are called to remain united through their common identity in Christ, a message highlighted during a homily focusing on the role of digital missionaries.
Speaking before participants of the first Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly, Rev. Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD, General Manager of Radio Veritas Asia, reflected on the readings from St. Paul throughout the week, which address various challenges faced by the early Christian community, including sexual morality, marriage, relationships, food offered to idols, and the responsibility to preach the Gospel.
Although these are different issues, one message continued to emerge: Christians belong to Christ and, because of this, they also belong to one another.
“They had questions with morality, relationships, culture, religious practices, food, vision, and community. But all keeps bringing them back to one thing. You belong to Christ. You belong to one another because you belong to Christ. And perhaps that is precisely what we need in the digital mission today. We belong to one another. We belong to Christ. We belong to one humanity,” said Fr. Fiel.
With the growing role of online evangelizers, Fr. Fiel further emphasized that digital missionaries can serve as “bridges and bridge builders,” bringing the Word of God to those who may not otherwise encounter the Gospel.
“We need bridges and bridge builders. People who can take the gospel into spaces where the Church is not always physically present. Perhaps your post will be the bridge through which someone encounters Christ,” said Fr. Fiel.
“Perhaps our live streaming also today will become the bridge connecting an elderly person who cannot attend Mass with the Eucharistic community,” he added.
The reflection also challenged those who use digital platforms to consider where their content is ultimately pointing toward.
“If we point only ourselves, we remain influencers. But if our lives, our stories, our creativity and digital platforms point people toward Jesus, then we become witnesses,” said Fr. Fiel.
The message was a reminder that digital missionary work is not simply about gaining followers or creating engaging content. Rather, it is about using the tools available online to connect people with Christ and with one another.
With the theme, ‘Influencers to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia,’ the assembly seeks to gather Catholic digital influencers and missionaries across the region to build a collaborative network that creates faith-driven content, builds fellowship, and strengthens the Church’s digital presence in Asia. It also aims to help Catholic influencers become authentic witnesses of faith through listening, collaboration, and shared mission.
The event is organized 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, and will be held Radio Veritas Asia in Fairview, Philippines, from September 10–13, 2026.
Photo by Albert Gerez | Photogallery
