At the recent graduation ceremony for the Digital Faith Influencers Program, Bishop Godfrey Onah of the Nsukka Diocese delivered a powerful message to the young leaders present. He urged the African Catholic youth to take up a new kind of mission—one that embraces both the challenges and opportunities of the digital world. In his address, Bishop Onah highlighted a paradox: while the digital world is central to modern life, it remains on the outskirts of the Church’s traditional mission. His call was simple yet profound: it’s time for the Church, led by its youth, to enter and evangelize the digital world.
The Digital Faith Influencers Program: Equipping the Youth for the Future
The Digital Faith Influencers Program, launched by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), has been preparing African Catholic youth for this very task. The program ran from February to August 2024, providing participants with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape. From using social media to blogging and creating faith-based content, these young leaders are now equipped to share the Gospel in ways that resonate with today’s digital audience.
But the program went beyond teaching digital skills. As Bishop Onah pointed out, the digital world is not just a tool for spreading messages—it is a space that needs to be evangelized. The African Catholic youth are not just communicators; they are missionaries tasked with bringing their faith into the digital realm, a space that can often feel disconnected from the Church’s core values.
Answering the Call to Lead
Bishop Onah’s words align perfectly with PACTPAN’s mission. The Digital Faith Influencers Program was designed not just to teach but to empower African Catholic youth to become leaders in their communities. These young graduates are now equipped to lead digital projects that promote both faith and social justice. They are tasked with implementing these projects in their local communities, using digital platforms to spread their message.
56 participants from 18 African countries were honored during the graduation. For them, this is just the beginning. Over the next year, they will lead local initiatives, mentor their peers, and return to present their achievements at the 3rd Pan-African Catholic Congress in Abidjan.
The Future of Evangelization in the Digital Age
As the ceremony drew to a close, Bishop Onah left the graduates with a clear vision for the future. The African Catholic youth are the ones who will lead the Church’s mission into the digital world. They have the creativity, the courage, and the faith to transform this space into a place where the Gospel can thrive. In Bishop Onah’s words, the Church must not fear entering the peripheries, even if it means being wounded in the process. And for today’s Church, the digital world is one of those peripheries.
The future of evangelization is in the hands of these young leaders, and they are ready to take up the mantle.
