In his latest work, Evangelization in the New Areopagus, Fr. Michael Makri, SDB, Director of Don Bosco Media Network (DBMN), offers a timely reflection on the Churchโs mission in the digital age. The book positions the internet as a modern โAreopagusโ where faith must be shared with creativity, authenticity, and missionary zeal.
Fr. Makriโs central argument is clear: the Church can no longer remain a passive observer in the online world. Still, it must actively engage digital spacesโparticularly in India and North East Indiaโwhere young people are shaping their worldviews through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Praised in the foreword by Fr. Barnes L. Mawrie SDB as a โwell-qualified Salesian priest in social communication,โ Fr. Makri combines theological insight with practical experience. Drawing inspiration from Pope St. John Paul IIโs call for evangelization in new cultural arenas, he adapts the vision to the contemporary digital sphere, even addressing emerging tools such as Artificial Intelligence.
Unlike superficial approaches to social media, Fr. Makri emphasizes humility, respect, and authenticity. He insists that evangelization online is not about chasing likes or followers but about fostering genuine encounters with Christ. His pastoral tone underscores that the digital mission must remain grounded in prayer, sacraments, and real-world pastoral care.
The book also provides concrete strategies, including integrating social media skills into priestly and religious formation, utilizing storytelling and testimonies, and creating culturally relevant content. At the same time, it cautions against the pitfalls of digital polarization and inauthenticity, urging believers to navigate with โmissionary courage.โ
Ultimately, Evangelization in the New Areopagus is both a guide and a manifesto. It invites the Church to embrace the digital continent with joy and confidence, reminding readers that while platforms may change, the mission to proclaim Christโs love remains timeless.
