He was speaking during the third session of the regional planning meeting on Mission 2033 held at the North Eastern Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS) in Kharghuli, Guwahati.
Fr. Cyril noted that digital media is no longer merely a communication tool but has become a cultural environment where people interact, search for meaning, and form communities. The Church, he said, must therefore be present in this space as a witness to the Gospel.
Referring to the synodal reflections on mission in the digital environment, he encouraged dioceses to establish dedicated digital teams and to identify and train “digital missionaries,” especially among young people.
He also highlighted the particular context of Northeast India, where hundreds of tribal languages and dialects shape the identity and daily life of communities.
“Evangelisation becomes powerful when it speaks in the mother tongue of the people,” he said. He encouraged the creation of digital content such as Bible reflections, catechetical videos, podcasts, and storytelling in indigenous languages.
Fr. Cyril added that digital evangelisation can also contribute to preserving tribal cultures and languages while strengthening Christian identity among younger generations.
The session concluded with a call for collaboration among dioceses and Church commissions to develop creative digital initiatives that bring the message of the Gospel into the digital spaces where people increasingly live and communicate.