By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, 12 July 2026: A book that seeks to reshape the way the Church understands and practices communication was launched at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on 11 July 2026.
It drew theologians, media professionals, and Church leaders into a conversation inspired by one of the most influential Catholic thinkers of the 20th century.
‘The Communication Theology’ of Avery Dulles, authored by Divine Word Father John Paul Herman, was released in New Delhi, marking a moment of renewed reflection on how the Church proclaims the Gospel in a rapidly changing world.
Current book is part of The Communication Theology series, an emerging scholarly initiative that reinterprets major Catholic thinkers through the lens of communication, culture, and media.
Conceived and guided by Salesian Father Peter Gonsalves, the series explores how theology itself is an act of communication—God’s self‑communication in history and humanity’s response through faith, symbol, culture, and community.
Published by Christian World Imprints, New Delhi, the series has already produced notable volumes, including The “Communication Theology” of Karl Rahner by Charles Ndhlovu and Salesian Father Peter Gonsalves (2026), and now The “Communication Theology” of Avery Dulles by John Paul Herman.
Bishop Rayarala Vijaya Kumar Chairman of CBCI and National Institute for Social Communications, Research and Training (NISCORT) released the book and handed the first copy to Dr. Natasha Govekar, Director of the Theological‑Pastoral Department of the Dicastery for Communication, Vatican.
The event was coordinated by Secretary General of the CBCI Father Mathew Koyickal and attended by Executive Secretary of the CBCI Office for Social Communications Father Biju Alappat; Divine Word Father Babu Joseph, former CBCI Public Relations Officer; along with priests, religious, media professionals, and invited guests.
In his address, Father Herman explained that the book draws inspiration from the theological legacy of Cardinal Avery Dulles, the eminent Jesuit scholar whose landmark work Models of the Church continues to shape modern ecclesiology.
Dulles’ method of presenting the Church through complementary models provides the foundation for Herman’s exploration of how communication itself is woven into the Church’s identity and mission.
Building on this framework, the author proposes six complementary models of communication within the Church: Communication in the Institutional Model, the Herald Model, the Sacramental Model, the Mystical Communion Model, the Servant Model, and the Community of Disciples Model.
Each model, he noted, reflects a distinctive way in which the Church communicates the Gospel and nurtures communion among the faithful.
Father Herman emphasized that communication is not merely a functional activity but is intrinsic to the Church’s very being.
His work argues that every ecclesial model embodies a theological mode of communication, shaping how the Church proclaims, celebrates, serves, and accompanies the People of God.
He further highlighted the book’s relevance to the Church’s ongoing journey toward synodality and the emerging vision of a networked Church.
By integrating theology with communication studies, the publication offers fresh insights for evangelization, pastoral ministry, digital engagement, and ecclesial leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
The release of The ‘Communication Theology’ of Avery Dulles marks an important moment for scholars and practitioners seeking deeper theological foundations for communication.
The book is expected to serve theologians, communication researchers, seminarians, religious, pastoral leaders, and all those committed to the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel through meaningful dialogue and authentic witness.
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