C.M. Paul
Darjeeling, August 21, 2025 — BOSCOM South Asia Executive Meet was held at Salesian College Autonomous Sonada, Darjeeling from 19th to 21st August 2025 with its theme: Artificial Intelligence in the Salesian Mission.
BOSCOM, short for Bosco Communications, is the official Salesian Social Communications network for the South Asia region founded in 1993 with a mission to coordinate, animate, and empower the communication efforts of provinces across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh—through media formation, youth engagement in the responsible use of social media, and the strategic deployment of digital platforms for education and Salesian mission.
The meet opened with a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the college chapel, presided over by Kolkata Salesian Provincial Fr Dr Joseph Pauria.
At the inaugural function Rector of Salesian College Siliguri Fr Johny Nedungattu welcomed the delegates. Principal Fr Dr Babu Joseph formally welcomed the delegates, many of whom were visiting the Darjeeling hills for the first time. “It is a privilege to host this convergence of communicators,” he affirmed, “especially as we engage with the challenges and possibilities that artificial intelligence presents to our mission.”
General Councilor for Social Communication from Rome Fr Fidel Orendian, in his online presentation urged delegates “to be builders of communion, as delegates cultivate it in ourselves. Social communication must develop relationships not only through theoretical teaching or gadget management, but through prioritization of authentic witnessing.”
The gathering brought together 12 Provincial Delegates for Social Communications from North, Northeast, South, and Western India, as well as other invitees.
Besides in-put sessions, deliberations focused on media formation, youth accompaniment, and the responsible integration of AI into Salesian education and pastoral outreach.
Pastoral Outreach is purely personal touch and geniality of a parish priest/pastor/priest-in charge to understand the unique culture, language of the place where they serve and the needs of the people they serve. What has Artificial Intelligence (AI) got to do with it? In most parishes this outreach is missing except annual house-blessing. They have become so robot-like/mechanical. Our so-called shepherds (bishops) have totally forgotten the term “Pastoral Outreach”. They are completely cut off from their flock except those who sponsor their programmes. Most bishops refuse to meet any ordinary member of his diocese/archdiocese without prior appointment. Most of them do not care to respond to emails!! So what “Pastoral Outreach” are we talking about?