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Digital Media: A New Mission Field Indo-Leste Sub-Zone Communication Workshop Opens in Kupang
Anthony Swammy, SVD
ASPAC Communication Coordinator
The opening day highlighted a central message: digital media is no longer simply a communication tool but a new mission field for the Church.
Eucharist opens the workshop
The workshop began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Dismas Mauk SVD, Provincial Superior of the Indonesia-Timor Province (IDT). Welcoming the participants, Fr. Dismas emphasized that communication in the digital age must remain rooted in the missionary vocation of the Church.
Reflecting on the call of Matthew, he compared the digital environment to a contemporary mission field. Just as Jesus called Matthew to become a disciple and witness to the Gospel, communicators today are called to witness to Christ through digital platforms.
“The digital platform is a new mission field,” Fr. Dismas said, stressing that Christian communication should not be driven merely by visibility or reach. “Our content is not simply for reach; it is for touching the heart of the human person.”
Traditional Welcome
Following the Eucharist, the participants received a traditional welcome from the university administration. Fr. Dr. Stefanus Lio, SVD the Rector of UNWIRA and Fr. Dr. Ubaldus Djonda, SVD, President of the St. Arnold’s Foundation, welcomed the participants and accompanied them to the auditorium. The traditional reception brought together faith, culture and missionary communication in the spirit of the local Church. The university Music school gave the symphony to the welcome by their melodious voices.
Dr. Stefanus Lio, SVD , the Rector of the University addressed the participants, emphasizing that the true measure of SVD communication lies not merely in its reach but in its witnessing value on the screen. He reminded the participants that taking the Gospel to digital platforms is not enough; rather, “we must not only bring the Gospel to the screen, but make the digital screen itself a Gospel.”
Communication that builds communion
In his welcoming address, Fr. Dismas returned to the theme of digital media as a mission field. “Digital media is not just a tool but a mission field,” he said, calling on missionaries to embrace the digital environment as part of their contemporary missionary presence.
He reminded the communicators that Christian communication does not always need to be loud or sensational. “The digital field does not need noise but a silent message,” he said.
For Fr. Dismas, communication must ultimately connect people rather than divide them. He challenged participants to look beyond views, likes, followers and comments and to ask more important questions: Has the communication touched someone’s life? Has it brought hope? Has it helped a wounded person? Has someone encountered Christ through it?
“Our mission is not measured by numbers but by the value of witnessing,” he said. “It is not just about creating content, but about building communion.”
Human experience and Artificial Intelligence
The keynote address was delivered by Fr. Kasmir Nema SVD, Phd, Communication Coordinator of the SVD Generalate.
Fr. Kasmir reflected on the current situation of SVD communication in the digital environment and the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence. He stressed the importance of creating a meaningful encounter between human experience and AI, insisting that technological development must remain connected to human dignity, experience and mission.
He also presented an overview of the SVD’s digital presence and compared its structures and statistics with those of other religious congregations. While acknowledging the importance of maintaining a strong digital presence, he emphasized that numbers also bring responsibility.
Connecting his reflection with the theological vision of “Magnifica Humanitas,” Fr. Kasmir emphasized the need to preserve the human face and voice in an increasingly technological world.
The challenge for Christian communicators, he suggested, is therefore to create digital spaces of encounter rather than division.
From audience to community
Fr. Dr. Eduardus Dosi,SVD, a communication expert and author of several books, offered a theological reflection on communication and digital evangelization.
Beginning with the conviction that God communicated first, he developed the biblical and ecclesial foundations of Christian communication. Drawing from Scripture and Church documents, he described digital evangelization as an extension of the Church’s mission of communication.
Fr. Eduardus described the digital world as a contemporary Areopagus, a place where people, cultures, ideas and worldviews encounter one another. He also presented social media as a new frontier for evangelization and dialogue, particularly with people who may never enter a church building.
He challenged communicators to move from audience to community and from influencer to witness.
He encouraged them to tell stories that are creative, joyful, peace-making, simple, inclusive and open to dialogue. Communication, he stressed, should be rooted in human dignity. “The SVD communicator,” he said, “is the one who builds, dialogues and brings peace.”
He concluded with the affirmation: “Digital presence is an essential part of the mission of the SVD in the modern era.”
From theory to practice
The afternoon sessions moved from reflection to practical training. Fr. Kasmir introduced participants to the basic principles of news writing, particularly the 5Ws and 1H — Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.
He also explained the inverted pyramid style, in which the most important information is presented first, followed by supporting details. Participants were encouraged not merely to report events but to identify the human story and missionary meaning behind them.
Participants then worked in small groups to develop news stories and headlines. The exercise created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and collaboration as they discussed story angles and presented their headlines.
The first day concluded with a strong missionary vision of communication: the digital world is a place where the Church can encounter people, build community and proclaim the Gospel.
For the SVD and SSpS communicators gathered in Kupang, the workshop began with a clear invitation—to enter the digital world not merely as content creators, but as witnesses, bridge-builders and servants of communion.
