NESCOM, Guwahati | 14 February 2026
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) conferred its National Award on Rev. Dr. Fr. Jose Thomas SDB and Mr. Thomson Philip, Co-founder of the BibleOn application, on 10 February 2026 in recognition of their contribution to the recording, publication, and digital dissemination of the Holy Bible in Northeastern languages.
The award ceremony was held at St. John’s Medical College Main Auditorium, Bengaluru, in the presence of Catholic Bishops from across India. The honour recognises the missionary and pastoral impact of the BibleOn mobile application and website, which has expanded access to Sacred Scripture across Northeast India.
A major focus of the initiative has been serving linguistically diverse communities in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and neighbouring regions. Through the platform, the Bible has been published in 18 Northeastern languages, including several indigenous and tribal languages. Audio recordings of Scripture in regional dialects are also available, with ongoing efforts to incorporate additional languages.
BibleOn functions as a Catholic digital Scripture platform accessible via mobile app and web interface. Its features include multilingual Bible access, audio versions, structured reading support, search by book, chapter and verse, daily Mass readings, common prayers, live adoration links, and image-based Scripture sharing.
The platform is used in parish catechism, youth apostolates, seminary formation, family prayer, and missionary outreach, particularly in remote mission stations.
In addition to BibleOn, the team has developed Kristapp, a digital platform designed to assist parish administration and governance within religious institutions.
Responding to the award, Fr. Jose Jose Thomas expressed gratitude to the Bishops of Northeast India for their continued encouragement. He acknowledged the support of Bishop Benny Varghese of Itanagar, Archbishop Moolachira, and Bishop John Thomas for their guidance from the inception of the project.
The recognition highlights the growing integration of digital tools in advancing the Church’s mission in Northeast India.