The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has released a landmark publication outlining a national framework for the Catholic Church’s engagement in digital spaces, with guidelines aimed at addressing misinformation, polarization, and ethical communication online.
Titled Mission in the Digital Environment: Social Media Engagement and SOPs for the Catholic Church in India, the book was launched on May 3 during the final day of the National Synodal Assembly themed “Synodal Pilgrims of Hope.”
The publication provides a comprehensive strategic and pastoral framework for how the Church in India can carry out its mission in the digital age, drawing from the Church’s communication tradition and responding to the realities of contemporary digital culture.
Developed for clergy, religious, and lay leaders, the resource includes practical standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to guide effective, responsible, and creative engagement across social media platforms.
The framework emphasizes evangelization through dialogue, credibility, and authentic witness, while directly addressing key challenges in the digital environment, including misinformation, polarization, and digital fatigue.
It also underscores the need for ongoing formation, strategic content planning, crisis communication, and clear ethical guidelines to ensure a consistent and unified Church presence online.
The book is intended to serve both as a vision document and a practical guide, equipping Church communicators to advance communion, participation, and mission in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The publication was released by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Archbishop Peter Machado.
