Indonesia: Church Communications Leaders Urged to Reveal Faith in Digital World

The Church’s Commission for Social Communications, or Komsos, is called not merely to disseminate information but also to reveal the richness of the Church’s faith, goodness, truth and beauty to the wider public, Bishop Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo said.

The chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), Bishop Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo made the remarks during his homily at the opening Mass of the Komsos KWI Training of Trainers (TOT) at Pelican Hall, Sanjaya Pastoral Centre, in Muntilan, Central Java, on August 24, 2026.

Addressing diocesan Komsos chairpersons and communication workers from across Indonesia, Bishop Utomo, who is also bishop of Surabaya, called on participants to reflect on their mission amid rapid changes in the communications landscape.

Reflecting on the biblical story of Nathanael, Bishop Utomo cited the question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” He said a similar question could be asked of the Church today: What is good about the Church?

For those involved in Komsos, Bishop Utomo said, the challenge is to discover, develop and communicate the richness of the Church’s faith and the concrete experiences of its people.

“We in the Commission for Social Communications and all those involved in the Church’s social communications are sent forth to present the Church and the richness of the Church’s faith,” Bishop Utomo said.

Bishop Utomo noted that social media and the internet have become integral to daily life, particularly for children and young people. The Church, he said, cannot withdraw from these spaces but must be present where people seek information, build relationships and share their experiences.

Church communication, Bishop Utomo said, should go beyond reporting activities. It should help people discover what is true, good and beautiful in the life of the Church.

He also emphasized that effective communication should move people from knowing to understanding, from understanding to believing, and ultimately to experiencing the message of the Gospel.

Fr. Petrus Noegroho Agoeng Sriwidodo, executive secretary of Komsos KWI, commonly known as Fr. Agung, said the August 25-28 training aims to help diocesan communication leaders discern the future direction of the Church’s communications ministry.

Fr. Agung, said the program, themed Komsos Imagology, seeks to broaden perspectives, develop new ideas and turn participants’ experiences into practical communication initiatives.

Fr. Agung said the training will strengthen the philosophical and theological foundations, professional skills and synodal networks of diocesan Komsos in collaboration with KWI.

He also highlighted artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, stressing that they should be understood and used responsibly while preserving the ability to recognize authentic stories and realities.

Fr. Agung expressed hope that participants would return to their dioceses with concrete, locally relevant initiatives and stronger networks for collaboration.

He said the goal is to build a professional, sustainable and synodal communications ecosystem capable of sharing the Church’s message with audiences in Indonesia and beyond.