Catholic editors from across Asia converged in the Philippine capital for a two-day meeting that reexamined the role of Catholic journalism amid digital disruption and growing secularism.
PHILIPPINES — Organized by SIGNIS Asia, the Catholic News Publication Editors’ Roundtable 2.0 brought together editors from 11 countries — Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor Leste.
Reflecting on the Catholic voice in the digital era
Adeline James, head of the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk, said the gathering provided space to reflect on how Catholic news is communicated today and how faith-based media can better reach audiences in a noisy digital environment.
“It is an opportunity for Catholic news organizations in Asia to gather and talk about how we can strengthen collaboration, amplify one another’s work, and ensure that our stories of faith and justice reach those who most need to hear them,” she said.
Discussions centered on sustaining the relevance of Catholic journalism, reclaiming faith’s voice in secular media, and building stronger regional cooperation among Church communicators.
Cross-border collaboration for Catholic media
Dr. Peter Rachada Monthienvichienchai, LiCAS News Executive Director and Secretary-General of SIGNIS World, emphasized that Catholic journalism must move beyond national boundaries to become a truly Asian network of solidarity.
“By working together, we can help one another tell stories that matter — stories that may not always have space to be told at home,” he said.
He said closer cooperation allows one country’s newsroom to publish or amplify stories restricted elsewhere, such as reports on religious freedom or human rights in Pakistan or Bangladesh. Shared editorial support, he added, ensures that important stories reach audiences despite local constraints.
“We are called not only to tell these stories but to propagate and amplify them — to ensure that voices from the margins are heard across Asia and beyond,” he said.
Under the SIGNIS network, he noted, multiple newsrooms could re-publish, localize, and develop follow-ups so that “a story does not end when it is published once, but continues to speak through many voices across the region.”
Making the Church’s voice visible
Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III, Director of the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, discussed the importance of transforming the Church’s teaching authority into timely, accessible, and relevant news.
He said journalism remains vital for evangelization because it shapes how people interpret events and understand moral and social issues through the lens of faith.
“Through news, the Church can share stories of hope, justice, and compassion, highlight the presence of God in everyday life, and give voice to the marginalized,” he said.
Addressing the theme “Bridging the Divide: Keeping the Faith Alive in an Increasingly Secular and Screen-Soaked Asia,” he urged journalists to deepen the Church’s presence in digital culture and view news as a pastoral tool for encounter and dialogue.
He outlined key priorities:
- “Newsify the Magisterium” – Treat Church teachings as newsworthy parts of public discourse.
- Digital culture – Build infrastructure that allows Catholic journalism to thrive online.
- Public opinion – Encourage Church voices on social issues tied to human development.
- Digital missionaries – Value witness over numbers; be “salt, light, and leaven.”
Faith in the public square
Paterno R. Esmaquel II, editor at Rappler, explored how faith intersects with politics, economics, and culture — areas where Catholic media can help shape conversations that affect people’s lives.
He said secular and Catholic media need not stand apart. “We share the same vocation to seek truth, serve the public, and tell stories that uplift human dignity,” he said.
Reimagining communication through reflection
Martino Tan, Managing Editor of Mothership.sg, challenged participants to evaluate how Catholic media engages audiences in an evolving digital landscape.
He asked editors to reflect on their communication strategies, audience impact, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
“How can Catholic news media reconnect Catholics to their faith and deepen their spirituality?” he asked.
The roundtable set the tone for the SIGNIS Asia Assembly, to be held on October 22–24 in Tagaytay City, where Catholic communicators and Church leaders will continue discerning the future of faith-based communication in Asia.
The meeting concluded with participants affirming plans to strengthen cooperation among Catholic news organizations and develop joint initiatives under the SIGNIS network.
