Catholic Digital Mission Must Build Communities, Not just Audiences, says RVA General Manager

Catholic media must move beyond simply producing content and focus on building genuine digital communities where people can listen, share their stories and grow together in faith, said Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD, General Manager of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA).

In an interview with RVA ahead of the Asian Catholic Digital Influencer Assembly 2026, Fr. Felmar said digital evangelization should recognize that audiences are not merely viewers or followers but real people with experiences and insights that can enrich conversations about faith.

“Your audience are real people who have varied experiences and valuable insights,” he said, stressing the importance of creating spaces where people can respond, ask questions, share stories and pray with one another.

He said simple actions such as reading and responding to comments, welcoming new viewers, greeting subscribers and answering messages can help create a sense of belonging among people reached through digital media.

“For me, digital evangelization is about gently bringing Christ into people's ordinary conversations, struggles, joys, and questions,” he said.

Fr. Felmar also emphasized that effective digital content should speak the language and reflect the experiences of its intended audience. His own experience communicating with Cebuano-speaking audiences, including Filipinos living abroad, has shown him that giving people opportunities to express themselves can enrich the content itself.

He said this approach reflects the Assembly’s call to move “from Influencers to Witnesses.” Catholic communicators, he added, should not measure success only through followers, likes or viral videos, but by whether their communication helps people encounter Christ.

“We are not called merely to influence people. We are called to bear witness to what we have seen, experienced, and believed,” he said.

The Asian Catholic Digital Influencer Assembly 2026, themed “Influencers to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia,” will be held from September 10–13 at Radio Veritas Asia in Fairview, Philippines.

Organized by the FABC Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) and Radio Veritas Asia, the four-day gathering will bring together Catholic digital communicators and influencers from across Asia to strengthen collaboration and promote a more synodal approach to digital mission.

Fr. Felmar said he hopes RVA can serve as a stronger platform of communion among the Churches of Asia by sharing not only content but also resources, training, technology, stories and opportunities among Catholic communicators.

“Asia has so much to say to Asia and beyond,” he said. “RVA can help us listen to one another and tell the story of Jesus together.”