The annual meeting of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) Urdu Service's board members took place on November 5, 2024, at Loyola Hall, Lahore, under the leadership of His Excellency Archbishop Dr. Joseph Arshad, Chairman of RVA Urdu Service.
Attended by board members, program producers, and staff of WAVE Studio, the gathering focused on advancing the mission of evangelization through media amid the Church’s evolving challenges.
The meeting began with a prayer led by Sr. Ida, followed by Archbishop Arshad's welcome address. He underscored the necessity of adapting to new changes in media and technology.
"Every new era brings new changes, and we must be in harmony with these changes," he stated.
He emphasized identifying individuals trained in media to join the Church’s mission, saying, “With limited resources, we must find innovative ways to spread the message of truth, peace, hope, and love, benefiting society and the Church.”
Miss Sana George, Online Producer, presented a report from the previous meeting, which was approved by Mr. Hassan Zaidi and seconded by Mr. Kamran Chaudhry.
Fr. Qaisar Feroz, Director of RVA Urdu Service, delivered the annual report, detailing the service's digital initiatives across its website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and mobile app.
He highlighted the growing engagement with viewers, particularly through viral reels and postcards that are widely shared not only in Pakistan but internationally.
He shared, “Our posts are not only liked and shared by many but are also being utilized by TikTokers and YouTubers, extending our reach.” Programs are first uploaded to the website and later shared through email with bishops, clergy, religious, and lay faithful.
The report also covered subscriber growth, watch time, and viewership metrics, showcasing the increasing impact of RVA Urdu Service's content.
Mr. Kamran Chaudhry appreciated the team's efforts and suggested leveraging the rising trend of blogging by collaborating with Christian bloggers. He proposed organizing a training workshop for them and pledged support in connecting with Christian scholars, poets, and writers.
Mr. Immanuel Neno stressed the importance of involving successful media personalities in Pakistan to inspire Christian youth. He encouraged fostering open discussions on posts to amplify voices of peace, friendship, and harmony.
Sr. Juliet, from the Charity Sisters of Jesus and Mary, suggested engaging students in writing competitions to nurture their creative skills, while Sr. Shamim of the Daughters of St. Paul emphasized utilizing the talents of lay faithful trained in media for the Church’s mission.
Archbishop Arshad expressed concerns over the lack of skill development and awareness among the Christian community in Pakistan.
He called for renewed efforts to train the youth, enabling them to excel in fields like law, media, and politics.
“If we have one hundred Christian lawyers, media professionals, and politicians in Pakistan, we could achieve remarkable success in the next five years,” he stated.
He also highlighted the need for collaborative efforts within the Church to overcome challenges and maximize the potential of media ministry.
Key recommendations from the meeting included:
- Engaging dioceses across Pakistan to promote cooperation and provide media training to the faithful.
- Encouraging youth to develop strong writing and communication skills.
- Involving capable individuals in media to support evangelization efforts.
- Strengthening collaboration with diocesan directors to expand the mission nationwide and globally.
In his closing remarks, Fr. Qaisar Feroz thanked the board members for their valuable contributions and expressed hope for continued progress.
“Your suggestions will guide and inspire us as we carry forward our mission of peace and harmony with renewed spirit,” he said.
This year’s meeting reaffirmed the commitment of RVA Urdu Service to harness the power of media in spreading the Gospel, fostering unity, and inspiring hope within and beyond Pakistan.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
