India: Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese leads the way in strengthening Catholic families in digital age

The Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore held a two-day workshop on February 19-20 at the Pastoral Centre in Santhome, Tamil Nadu, south India.

The event was organized with the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the family apostolate in Tamil Nadu, addressing the challenges and opportunities families encounter in today’s digital era.

Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore led the initiative, with Father Jayakumar, director of the Chennai Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, overseeing the program.

A team of experts, including Alex Antony, Dr. P. A. Edwin, Sister Sagayam, Mrs. Nirmala, Mrs. Jaya, and Raymond, facilitated the sessions.

In his inaugural address, Archbishop Antonysamy highlighted the Church’s vital role in guiding families through the challenges and transformations brought about by the digital age.

Father Philip Kavithazhe started the first session by stressing how important families are to the Church's synodal journey. Father Tom Kainikkara then spoke about the synodal approach and how important small group discussions are for creating meaningful dialogue.

A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Father Jacob Koippally, delved into how families can embrace synodality while staying deeply rooted in their faith, followed by an engaging plenary session where participants shared their experiences and voiced their concerns.

The workshop then shifted its focus to the impact of technology on family life, with Father Arulraj Gali, CSC, national secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Family Commission.

He highlighted the influence of media and digital culture while outlining its potential benefits and challenges.

Dr. P. A. Edwin facilitated a group discussion on the topic, which concluded with insightful presentations proposing faith-based strategies for effective and responsible media engagement.

Day two moved toward actionable strategies, with Father Thomas Elango outlining ways to strengthen the family apostolate in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Mrs. Nirmala facilitated discussions on faith-based digital literacy and community outreach, fostering ideas to strengthen family engagement in the digital era.

As technology continues to reshape daily life, the Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore plans to implement these valuable insights throughout Tamil Nadu, ensuring the Church remains a guiding force in family life, both online and offline.

Joseph Ravi Kumar followed with the final report, summarizing the workshop's key insights and recommendations. The event concluded with a heartfelt prayer led by Fr. Jayakumar, marking the end of the two-day workshop.