Guwahati, September 10,2026 — Three Catholic priests from Northeast India are representing the region at the First Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly, being held from 10 to 13 September 2026 at the Radio Veritas Asia headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The participants are Fr Jimberth K. Marak of the Diocese of Tura, Fr Ebormitre Henry Lamare of the Diocese of Jowai, and Fr Felix Anthony of the Diocese of Miao. Fr Marak and Fr Ebormitre were nominated from the Northeast Social Communication, while Fr Felix was nominated by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Apostolate for Communication.
Organised by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences – Office of Social Communications (FABC-OSC) and Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), in partnership with the Dicastery for Communication through the Fully Present Network, the four-day assembly brings together Catholic digital missionaries, communicators, content creators and faith influencers from across Asia.
Its theme, “Influencers to Witnesses: A Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia,” is inspired by Acts 4:20: “For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” The gathering focuses on authentic Christian witness, communion, dialogue, ethical communication and missionary discipleship in the digital environment.
Northeast voices in Asian digital mission
Fr Jimberth K. Marak, a priest of the Diocese of Tura, is a prominent Garo media influencer with millions of views across his content. He serves as the Secretary for Social Communication of the Diocese of Tura and communicates the faith and life of the Church through digital platforms.
The Diocese of Tura was the diocese of Bishop Andrew Marak, the first Garo bishop. Fr Marak’s participation brings the experience of Garo Catholic digital communication to the wider Asian platform.
Fr Ebormitre Henry, a native of Jowai and priest of the Diocese of Jowai, has helped revive and strengthen the diocese’s communication platforms. His digital work has increased the visibility of the Church’s pastoral activities and the life of the young diocese, now under its third bishop.
Fr Felix Anthony, a priest of the Diocese of Miao and a native of Tamil Nadu, serves as spokesperson of the Northeast India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC). He regularly contributes news and communication material from the Diocese of Miao, including reports on the activities of its bishop.
A media educator and digital communicator, Fr Felix has also been involved in communication formation and has been recognised by the CCBI for his work. His nomination adds a national dimension to the Northeast’s representation.
From influence to witness
The assembly combines formation and networking through keynote presentations, workshops, prayer and discussions on synodality, ethical communication, digital storytelling, artificial intelligence, content creation and engaging younger generations online.
Organisers also aim to build a continental network for sharing experiences, developing partnerships and supporting Catholic digital evangelisation.
The gathering takes place as the Church prepares for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Participants are expected to explore “Asian Voices for WYD,” a digital initiative to connect young Catholics across Asia ahead of the event.
Resource persons include Bishop Marcelino Antonio “Junie” Maralit Jr. of the Philippines, Dr Natasa Govekar of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Pie Mabanta-Fenomeno of the Philippines, Michael Unland of Germany, Dr Anna Jihyun You of South Korea, and Fr Cyril Victor Joseph of India.
The participation of the three priests gives Northeast India an opportunity to share its experience of digital proclamation in the wider Asian Church. It also highlights the need for digital communication rooted in faith, truth, dialogue, human encounter and witness.
As the assembly’s theme suggests, the challenge is not simply to become more influential online, but to become credible witnesses of what they have seen and heard