SVD Global Communication Forum Holds Webinar on “Communication as a Bridge of Peace”

The global Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Communication Forum organized an international webinar titled “Bridge of Peace: Communication and Interreligious Faith” to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.

The event drew 90 participants from across continents, including SVD and SSpS members as well as lay partners. It reflected the congregation’s long-standing commitment to fostering dialogue, unity, and peace through communication, core values deeply rooted in Nostra Aetate and the SVD charism of prophetic dialogue.

The session was coordinated by Fr. Kasmir Nema, SVD, General Coordinator for Communication. Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD, Communication Coordinator for the Africa–Madagascar Zone, opened the gathering with a prayer. Fr. Nema then welcomed participants and introduced the session moderator, Fr. Dominic Emmanuel, SVD, who presented the speakers.

The first presentation was delivered by Sr. Nina Bernadikta Krapic, MVZ, from the Vatican Dicastery for Communication. In her talk, “Communication as a Pathway of Encounter,” she explored the power and responsibility inherent in today’s digital landscape. She noted that communication has evolved into a “fourth pillar of power,” and that the shift from traditional to hybrid media systems requires communicators to embrace accuracy, narrative competence, and AI literacy.

Sr. Nina emphasized that in an era where social media often surpasses mainstream platforms in influence, religious communicators must tell stories with integrity and creativity, an approach that resonates strongly with the SVD mission of engaging contemporary cultures with openness and discernment.

The second speaker, Fr. Bonaventura Mwenda, from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, focused on “Afro-Asian Encounters and Emerging Horizons.” Drawing inspiration from Nostra Aetate, he underscored the Church’s call to recognize and respect the spiritual, cultural, and human richness present in diverse religions and peoples.

He highlighted that while Africa and Asia were once viewed as peripheral mission territories, they are today vibrant and growing communities of faith. He reminded participants that Jesus himself was born not in a powerful metropolis but in Bethlehem, an image symbolizing the Church’s enduring presence among humble and diverse cultures.

Fr. Bonaventura also referred to Ecclesia in Africa and Ecclesia in Asia, stressing that authentic Asian theology must be grounded in deep religious sensitivity, acknowledging that God encounters humanity through culture, language, and local traditions.

The final presentation was delivered by Fr. Markus Solo, SVD, also from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. His talk, “Dialogue as Mission and the SVD Legacy,” revisited the foundations laid by Nostra Aetate, which calls Catholics to build relationships of respect, mutual understanding, and cooperation with people of all faiths.

He described dialogue as a mission rooted not in debate but in freedom, reciprocity, and a shared pursuit of truth. Within the SVD tradition, this is expressed through prophetic dialogue, a hallmark of SVD missionary spirituality, where members live and work among diverse peoples, cultures, and religions as “bridge builders” and “border crossers.”

Fr. Markus noted that the 15th General Chapter of the SVD reaffirmed this call by renewing the congregation’s commitment to ad gentes missionary discipleship. The SVD’s intercultural community life, he added, is itself a living witness to peaceful coexistence.

The “Bridge of Peace” webinar reaffirmed the SVD’s global mission to communicate with integrity, promote interreligious harmony, and build bridges across cultures in an increasingly interconnected world. Grounded in the spirit of Nostra Aetate and the SVD’s long tradition of prophetic dialogue, the gathering highlighted the importance of digital literacy, responsible storytelling, and intercultural sensitivity in shaping a more peaceful and collaborative future.

The event concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, during which participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of digital communication, intercultural living, and interreligious dialogue.

Fr. Anthony Swamy, SVD, Communication Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Zone, delivered the vote of thanks and presented e-certificates to the speakers and moderator. The webinar ended in a joyful atmosphere, united in prayer and renewed in the shared mission of promoting peace through communication.