Illuminaire 2024: Harnessing Technology for the Church’s Mission

Bangalore, November 25, 2024: The National Catholic Media Conference, Illuminaire 2024 held on November 23 and 24 at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore aimed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate and harness the power of technology, social media and artificial intelligence to advance the Church’s mission in the digital age. This pivotal event, organized by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesians of Don Bosco and South Asian Salesian Social Communications Body (BOSCOM) in collaboration with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication and key Catholic bodies in India, gathered approximately 300 participants including priests, religious and those in consecrated life. 

In a world increasingly shaped by digital media and AI, Illuminaire 2024 arrives at a crucial time for the Catholic Church. The conference focuses on how technology can be a powerful ally in evangelization and pastoral care, particularly as the Church reaches out to younger generations like Generation Alpha. Through various talks, discussions and workshops, the event addresses ethical considerations, the role of media in spreading the Gospel, and how to use digital tools responsibly to support the mission of the Church. Notable speakers, including Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication and Dr. Natasa Govekar, Director of the Department of Pastoral Theology shared their expertise on integrating faith with modern media.

The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers, such as Fr. Gildasio Santos, General Councillor for Social Communication of the Salesian Congregation spoke about innovative ways to connect with youth and Indian Member of Parliament Derek O’Brien, brought different perspectives on media, politics and social justice. 

Experts like Sr. Joeyanna D’Souza, a social media ethics specialist delved into media ethics, addressing the challenges of digital addiction and the ethical use of online platforms while Fr. Cedric Prakash, SJ discussed the ethical responsibilities and outreach potential of media. Additionally, Dr. Elizabeth Jasmine focused on mental health and digital wellness, offering strategies for maintaining balance in an increasingly digital world.

Fr. Raj Kumar, a media psychologist emphasized the importance of digital well-being for youth and Poorva Jain shared her experience in integrating technology with faith Adrian Stevens, a marketing and branding expert provided insights into personal and organizational branding. Livin Varghese, a leader in digital solutions and youth missionary work spoke on developing digital strategies aligned with faith while Wilfred Fernandes and Sarthak Sikdar shared their expertise in social media marketing and e-commerce. 

Participants gained skills through workshops on topics such as AI tools for ministry, smartphone discipleship and creating impactful digital strategies for evangelization. The event encouraged collaboration and networking among Catholic communicators, helping them integrate faith into their digital outreach and form a cohesive strategy for the future of media within the Church.

By Catholic Connect Reporter