Asian bishops focus on Christian communication in the digital age

By Vatican News

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences wound up a four-day meeting at the end of November with the release of a Final Statement in which they promise to address the challenges and opportunities posed by the evolving landscape of communication. The meeting that took place in Bangkok, saw the participation of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication with the presence of the Prefect, Paolo Ruffini and of the Director of the Dicastery’s Pastoral-Theological department, Natasa Govekar.

Divine nature of communication

The Statement begins by highlighting that every Christian is inherently a communicator. The bishops ground this assertion in the belief that God is the "Communicator Par Excellence," and express their view that current technological advancements are gifts from God, intended to serve humanity's unity and advancement.

Navigating the realm of Artificial Intelligence

Acknowledging the importance of staying abreast of emerging technologies, the bishops stress the need to understand and critically adopt innovations like artificial intelligence (AI). While recognizing AI's potential contributions to the Church's communication ministry, the statement strikes a balance by affirming the indispensable role of the human person in promoting genuine communication.

Witnesses and advocates of solidarity

The statement urges Christian communicators to be more than mere conveyors of information, emphasizing the importance of being witnesses. Drawing inspiration from examples like the Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa, who risk their lives to serve in conflict zones, the bishops encourage communicators to remain in solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged, giving voice and life to those often overlooked.

Communion and Synodality

The Final Statement also emphasizes that sustained and personal communication fosters authentic communion, echoing the principles of the Holy Trinity. In a diverse continent like Asia, the bishops call for effective responses to the call for synodality, advocating for authentic human relationships built on respect, dialogue, and friendship.

Recommendations for the future

The bishops put forth a series of recommendations aimed at empowering those involved in communication ministry. They call for the celebration of World Communication Day as a means to foster spirituality, provide formation, share resources, and create networks. They stress the importance of continued participation in annual Bishops' Meetings to understand emerging technologies and promote real-life encounters through liturgies and forums.