First Asian Assembly of Catholic Digital Missionaries

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Franciscan Communication Philippines (FRANCOM PH), together with other members of the Franciscan family, joined more than 100 Catholic digital missionaries, communicators, content creators, and faith influencers from across Asia for the First Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly, held on 10–13 September 2026 at Radio Veritas Asia in Quezon City.

The Franciscan family was represented by the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) through FRANCOM Philippines, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, reflecting a shared commitment to the Church’s mission in the digital world.

Under the theme “Influencers to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia,” the assembly was organized by the FABC Office of Social Communication and Radio Veritas Asia, in partnership with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication through the Fully Present Network. Nataša Govekar, Director of the Dicastery’s Theological-Pastoral Department, accompanied the gathering.

Pope Leo XIV encouraged participants to become “authentic witnesses of Jesus Christ in their digital content.” At the opening Mass, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa reminded them: “We bring Jesus, not by shouting over Asia, but by drawing close to Asia.”

Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit, Jr., Chairman of FABC-OSC, proposed five shifts for digital mission: from content to encounter, audiences to communities, virality to fidelity, competition to collaboration, and influence to witness.

Significantly, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi were among the six patron saints of the assembly, offering the Franciscan family a special connection with this historic gathering.

The assembly also highlighted the contribution of women religious, lay women, young people, and digital missionaries in building a more synodal and relational Church presence online.

At the closing Mass, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan, challenged participants: “When others close the door, become a bridge.”

For the Franciscans present, the assembly affirmed that the values of fraternity, minority, dialogue, peace, and closeness to the poor must also be lived in the digital continent. Inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, Franciscan communicators are called to build bridges, foster fraternity, proclaim peace, and bear joyful witness to the Gospel online.