# From influencers to witnesses in Asia

> More than 100 Catholic creators met in Manila to work out what the Church should actually be online.
- Title: From influencers to witnesses in Asia · Vaticannews | Shortify
- Summary: More than 100 Catholic creators met in Manila to work out what the Church should actually be online. Online reach only matters if it turns into real…
- Keywords: catholic church, asia, digital mission, evangelization, social media, religion, world, influencers, witnesses, Vaticannews
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-09/asia-fabc-osc-first-catholic-digital-missionary-assembly.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-14T08:40:41.079+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: catholic church, asia, digital mission, evangelization, social media, religion, world
## A first for Asia
More than 100 Catholic communicators, content creators and faith influencers from across Asia gathered for four days to turn online reach into Christian witness.
## Manila, four days in September
The assembly ran 10 to 13 September at the Radio Veritas Asia campus in Quezon City, organised by the FABC Office of Social Communication with the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.
## Speaking about what we saw
The theme, "Influencers to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia," drew on Acts 4:20. Pope Leo XIV sent a message urging participants to be authentic witnesses in their content.

> We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard
## Draw close, do not shout
Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa preached at the opening Mass, arguing mission in Asia works by listening and walking with people rather than broadcasting at them.

> We bring Jesus, not by shouting over Asia, but by drawing close to Asia
## Five shifts to make
Bishop Marcelino Maralit named the moves the Church needs online: content to encounter, audiences to communities, virality to fidelity, competition to collaboration, influence to witness.

> Social media is an appetizer; Eucharist is the destination
## Become a bridge
Closing the assembly, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David warned that the internet connects millions while leaving people lonely, and that algorithms sort users into hostile camps.

> When others close the door, become a bridge
## Key takeaway

Online reach only matters if it turns into real encounter, community and bridges instead of noise.