On September 5, 2025, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) brought together nearly 200 scholars, missionaries, and media professionals from around the world for a global reflection on “Evangelization in the Digital Age.”
The theme, “Evangelizing in the Digital Continent: Towards Full Presence and Meaningful Engagement, Reimagining Mission, Dialogue, and Impact in the Digital Age,” guided participants in exploring how the Church can witness to the Gospel within today’s rapidly changing digital culture.
The gathering opened with a prayer led by Fr. Wojcech, who invited participants into silence and attentiveness, followed by words of welcome from Fr. Kasmir, who urged everyone to “move beyond the clicks and shares” to form life-giving communities. Moderated by Fr. Babu Joseph, SVD, the session featured two keynote addresses.
Dr. Michael Unland, Director of CAMECO, spoke first on “Full Presence in a Fragmented World: Evangelizing in Digital Culture.” He emphasized that evangelization is not primarily about tools or platforms but about relationships. “The important thing is not the technology itself, but the spaces where relationships happen,” he said, challenging participants to see the digital world as a mission field.
Referring to the parable of the Good Samaritan, he described the internet as today’s “digital highway,” where wounded individuals await compassion. He cautioned against commodification and online discrimination, while encouraging the Church to create spaces for silence, education, and authentic encounters. His proposals included relearning the digital space as a venue for meaningful human interaction and recognizing others as neighbors rather than strangers.
Responding to him, Fr. Christian Tauchner, SVD, reflected on the borderless nature of the digital world compared to traditional geographic missions. He warned against oversimplification, pointing to challenges such as global regulations, the energy demands of artificial intelligence, and the temptation to reduce the Gospel to a commodity. He reminded participants that evangelization must be rooted in a sacramental vision and should begin from the margins.
The second keynote was delivered by Dr. Daniela Zsupan Jerome, Director of Sustaine Encuentro, on the theme “Digital Discipleship and Ecclesial Presence: Forming Communities of Faith Online.” She stressed the importance of storytelling in evangelization, asking, “What kind of stories are we telling in the digital age?” Highlighting Pope Francis’ description of Mary as the “first influencer of God,” she explained how faith-filled narratives can nurture discipleship and online communities.
Dr. Jerome also underlined that vocation is both personal and communal. Online communities, she said, must be spaces of spiritual discernment that allow room for silence, listening, and the guidance of the Spirit. She invited participants to consider how to welcome strangers into digital communities, what metaphors and language best communicate faith, and how to share Christian stories with authenticity and hope.
In his response, Dr. Andre Joseph Theng highlighted the subtle but powerful impact of language and imagery in digital spaces. Even simple choices, such as words on social media or messages on a T-shirt, shape relationships and the way communities form.
The reflection concluded with a strong call to action: evangelization in the digital age is not about chasing trends or adopting marketing strategies. Instead, it is about presence, being a credible witness of faith, love, and justice in the digital spaces where people live and interact.
As one participant summarized, “The digital world is not just a tool for mission. It is mission territory itself.
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.
Latest News
