Bishop Hilarion Datus Lega of Manokwari-Sorong urged young Catholics to use technology responsibly and resist being controlled by social media during the opening Mass of Pre-Indonesian Youth Day (Pre-IYD) 2026 on October 20 in Sorong, the capital of Southwest Papua province in eastern Indonesia.
“Mobile phones must not control us. We must be the ones who control our mobile phones,” the bishop said in his homily, calling on young people to develop critical judgment, continue learning and use digital tools for building relationships and serving others.
The Mass was part of the October 17-21 gathering that brought together hundreds of young Catholics from parishes across the Diocese of Manokwari-Sorong in preparation for Indonesian Youth Day (IYD) 2027, scheduled for June in the same diocese.
Bishop Datus warned that technological progress does not automatically make people more capable or free. Without self-discipline, digital communication can isolate young people, distance them from their communities and discourage meaningful action.
He cautioned against accepting social media content as unquestionable truth, particularly in what is known as the post-truth era, urging young Catholics to verify information, examine its context and distinguish reliable sources from misleading content.
Reflecting on the Gospel, the bishop emphasized that Christian life is not a solitary journey but one that calls believers to support and enrich one another. He encouraged young people to build fraternity through cooperation in parishes, mission stations and local communities.
He also identified three foundations for preparing for IYD 2027: a deep faith, pride in Catholic identity and a spirit of joy.
Faith, he said, should guide young people through life's challenges, while a strong Catholic identity should grow from understanding the Church's beliefs and traditions. Joy, meanwhile, should remain even amid difficulties and disappointments.
The gathering also featured a cultural parade on Oct. 20, when around 200 young Catholics walked approximately two kilometers through Sorong's streets, presenting the traditions and cultural identities of their respective pastoral regions through music, chants and other expressions of solidarity.
Earlier in the program, participants took part in live-in experiences in different parishes, where they joined local communities in service activities, environmental initiatives, prayer and faith-sharing.
Their activities included cleaning the mission station surroundings, planting trees and praying the Rosary together.
Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu officially opened the Pre-IYD activities at Lux Oriente Hall in the Christ the King Cathedral complex in Sorong. She encouraged young Catholics to strengthen fraternity, reject hatred and slander, and remain confident despite their limitations.
The provincial government also expressed support for preparations for IYD 2027.
Fr. Iventus Ivos Kocu, chairman of the Diocese of Manokwari-Sorong Youth Commission, praised the participants' enthusiasm and spirit of fraternity, expressing hope that these qualities would inspire them to make a positive difference in their communities.
Bishop Datus also reminded the young Catholics that preparations for the national gathering must be rooted in Scripture and prayer. God's Word, he said, is not merely written text but something living that gives life.
The Pre-IYD gathering aims to help young Catholics translate their faith into concrete action, build meaningful relationships and prepare to welcome young people from across Indonesia for IYD 2027.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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