QUEZON CITY – Catholic bishops, priests, digital missionaries, content creators and communicators from across Asia gathered for the Holy Mass to mark the opening of the Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly 2026 (ACDMA 2026) on Sept. 11 at the auditorium of Radio Veritas Asia in Quezon City.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera, archbishop of Lipa and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He was joined by Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr., bishop of San Pablo and chairman of the Office of Social Communications of Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), and concelebrating priests.

In his homily, Archbishop Garcera compared transmitters of the old broadcasting paradigm to today's digital platforms that communicators must regard as a privileged place and use with great responsibility.

"The world needs media who can help people discern what is true. Do not allow clicks, ratings or followers to become more important than truth," the archbishop said.

Archbishop Garcera added that "the Church cannot simply use the technology" but "must enter the new culture while remaining faithful to the Gospel."

The archbishop also discussed the local experience of proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ, which he described as "whispering Jesus in Asia."

"Catholic media must not only speak Asia. It must also listen to Asia – the cultures, especially, to the poor, migrants, indigenous people, young people, victims of injustice and those in existential peripheries," he said.

As regards the role of digital influencers, Archbishop Garcera reminded the conference participants about the role of communication as both a technical and moral responsibility.

"You are not merely content creators. You are witnesses. In every headline, photograph, video, post or story, we make a choice: What do we highlight? Whose voice do we hear and will remain unheard? Speak truth without hatred, but with smile. Criticize without destroying the dignity of a person," he said.

The ACDMA 2026 opening Mass marked Archbishop Garcera's return visit to Radio Veritas Asia where he served as administrative director for several years, having been appointed by former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin after the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Rev. Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD, general manager of Radio Veritas Asia, gave his message of thanks prior to the end of the Mass.

ACDMA 2026 participants will remain at the Radio Veritas Asia headquarters until Sept. 13 to listen to discussions on various topics as they turn from mere digital influencers to witnesses to Christ, guided by the conference theme, "Influencer to Witnesses: Synodal Way for Digital Mission in Asia."

The ACDMA 2026 is organized by Radio Veritas Asia in partnership with the FABC Office of Social Communications, the Vatican Dicastery for Communication through the Fully Present Network.