The Northeast Social Communication (NESCOM), the communication arm of the Northeast India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC), has officially launched a website for the Diocese of Itanagar as part of efforts to improve the digital presence of the Catholic Church in the region.
The website, dioceseofitanagar.com, was unveiled on March 9, marking a key step toward addressing the lack of digital infrastructure among dioceses in Northeast India.
Currently, nearly half of the region’s 15 dioceses — including three archdioceses — either lack an official website or maintain outdated online platforms.
NESCOM, under the leadership of Chairman Bishop Albert Hemrom and newly appointed Secretary Father Kampan Chinnam, spearheaded the initiative amid limited resources.
The project gained momentum with the support of Franciscan Solutions, a company specializing in education technology.
With the tagline, “For It Is in Giving We Receive,” Franciscan Solutions offered to design and host the Diocese of Itanagar’s website free of charge, enabling the diocese to overcome financial barriers that had previously stalled digital development.
Mr. Sumit Dass, Head of Operations at Franciscan Solutions, met with the Northeast bishops in early March during a meeting held in Bongaigaon.
The Diocese of Itanagar was the first to take up the offer, initiating nearly a month-long website development process.
The site was formally launched in a ceremony attended by over a hundred priests and religious leaders.
Among the dignitaries present were Most Rev. Benny Varghese Edathattel, Bishop of Itanagar, and Emirati Bishops Most Rev. Dr. John Thomas Kattrukudiyil and Most Rev. Gabriel Kujur.
During the event, Bishop Benny highlighted the role of divine providence in the process, noting that previous attempts to secure website development had been hindered by high cost estimates, many requiring five-figure sums.
Mr. Dass also presented Franciscan Solutions’ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for educational institutions, offering dioceses the option to adopt cost-based digital solutions to enhance their ministries further.
The launch marks a broader move by NESCOM to assist dioceses across Northeast India in building a stronger digital footprint and improving communication within and beyond Church communities.
