India: ICPA Holds National Convention of Journalists, Highlights Future of Christian Media

The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) held its 61st Annual General Body Meeting and 30th National Convention of Christian Journalists at Inigo Sadan, Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, from 19 to 21 September 2025. 

Addressing the convention on September 20, veteran journalist Carol Andrade emphasized that print media must evolve without losing its core identity. Delivering the keynote address, she said that print media, complemented by strong online editions, is “the need of the hour.” Andrade highlighted that at a time when print media faces declining readership, a hybrid model and hyper-local journalism could help newspapers navigate the crisis.

Echoing this sentiment, Lawrence Coelho, Editor-Publisher of the English weekly The Secular Citizen and the Konkani weekly Divo, reflected on the transformation of periodical publishing over the past three decades. “Writing, composing, printing, and distribution have all gone through a revolution. What was once a painstaking process has now been reshaped by technology,” he said.

Describing distribution as a persistent challenge, Coelho proposed leveraging the Christian institutional network in India. “We have around 10,000 institutions, parishes, schools, health centers, social and prayer centers. Imagine if we could use this very network to build our own distribution system! A coordinated delivery system at local, national, and international levels could give our periodicals a significant boost in reach and impact. Challenges are real, but so are opportunities. With vision, collaboration, and faith, we can shape a stronger future for Christian media in India.”

The convention also saw the launch of the book Print Journalism in the Digital World, released by Bishop Malcolm Sequeira of Amravati Diocese and Bishop Henry D'Souza, Ecclesiastical Advisor to the ICPA. Sponsored by St. Paul’s and Better Yourself Books, the 182-page volume features articles by media experts and journalists addressing the challenges of staying relevant in the digital era.

ICPA also recognized outstanding contributions in journalism and media. Among the honorees:

Father Anthony Charanghat, former Editor of the Mumbai-based, 175-year-old The Examiner, received the Luis Careno Citation for Excellence in Journalism.

• Father Cherubim Tirkey, Editor of the Jharkhand Express (Hindi), was awarded the Swamy Devanand Chakkungal Award for contribution to Hindi literature.

• Sister Lismy CMC, India’s first professional cinematographer nun, received the Blessed James Alberione Award for Excellence in Media Production for her more than 1,000 videos, including documentaries, music albums, live broadcasts, and short films.

• Reshel Brettny Fernandes, a youth from Mangaluru, won the J Maurus Award for Excellence in Book Authorship for her work Bharat@2047: Role of the Youth.

Presiding over the awards function, Bishop Sequeira urged Christian journalists to broaden their perspectives beyond “churchy” narratives and engage with the wider society. He stressed that in an age of misinformation and biased narratives, media professionals must uphold truth, integrity, and justice with prophetic courage.

(Ladislaus Louis D’Souza, a member of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), currently serves as Copy Editor at ST PAULS / Better Yourself Books, Mumbai.)