Basilica Rectors Urged to Turn Enquiry Centres into Hubs of Evangelisation

PONDICHERRY, July 29, 2026: Catholic Enquiry Centres and digital media platforms can become powerful instruments of evangelisation, enabling Basilicas to extend their pastoral mission beyond their physical boundaries, Basilica Rectors from across India were told at the Annual General Body Meeting of the Association of Basilica Rectors of India (ABRI).

Speaking during an afternoon session on July 28 on the theme, “Catholic Enquiry Centres and Media Platforms as an Effective Means of Evangelisation at Basilicas,” Fr. Roselin Raja, Associate Deputy Secretary of the CCBI Media Apostolate, presented the vision of transforming traditional enquiry desks into vibrant centres of evangelisation.

In his presentation, titled “From Enquiry Desk to Evangelisation Centre,” Fr. Roselin Raja said Catholic Information Centres could welcome pilgrims, respond to questions about the Catholic faith, offer pastoral guidance and accompany visitors on their journey of faith.

He proposed that such centres could also serve as digital mission hubs by integrating websites, social media, livestreaming, podcasts, mobile applications and digital publications. This, he said, would allow Basilicas to communicate with people beyond their immediate geographical boundaries and reach a wider audience.

Fr. Roselin Raja urged every Basilica to establish dedicated media teams, strengthen its digital presence, document its spiritual and cultural heritage through multimedia archives and collaborate with diocesan communication offices.

Emphasising the need for greater collaboration in proclaiming the Gospel, he invited Basilica Rectors and media coordinators across the country to work together through the Catholic Connect App, for which he serves as the in-charge.

He proposed the creation of a nationwide network of Basilica media platforms to facilitate the livestreaming of major liturgical celebrations, annual feasts, pilgrimages and other significant events. Such collaboration, he said, would enable Basilicas to share media resources, support one another in their evangelising mission and reach millions of faithful who are unable to participate in person.

The session also explored the responsible and creative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Catholic media ministry. During a live demonstration, Fr. Roselin Raja showed how AI-powered tools can assist media teams in producing social media content, videos, graphics, presentations, translations and other digital resources more creatively and efficiently.

He encouraged the participants to view emerging technologies as valuable instruments for the Church’s mission while ensuring that their use remains faithful to the teachings, values and evangelising mission of the Church.

The session called on Basilicas to integrate hospitality, catechesis, liturgy, pastoral care and digital communication as complementary dimensions of evangelisation. Drawing inspiration from Christ’s Great Commission, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to making every Basilica a centre of faith, hope and missionary outreach.

By Catholic Connect Reporter