(ANS – Rome)  – In a significant step toward strengthening the Salesian Family’s communication mission worldwide, Fr. Fidel Orendain, General Councillor for Social Communication, convened another major online gathering with regional delegates on Thursday, on November 6, bringing together communication leaders from three continents to chart a new course for the Sector.

The virtual meeting connected Social Communication delegates from the Europe Central and North region with their counterparts from Interamerica and East Asia-Oceania, creating a truly global forum for dialogue and strategic planning. The session marked not only an introduction of the new General Councillor but also an important moment of connection and alignment across provinces and regions.

A Vision Takes Shape

Fr. Orendain used the occasion to share both his personal journey and the substantive work already accomplished during his initial months in office. His presentation offered delegates a comprehensive overview of the Social Communication Sector’s evolving landscape and strategic direction.

The General Councillor carefully delineated the distinct yet complementary responsibilities of the various roles within the Sector’s structure—delegates at the provincial level, regional coordinators, and the central office in Rome. This clarity of functions, participants noted, provided an essential framework for more effective collaboration moving forward.

GC29: A Roadmap for Communication

A central focus of Fr. Orendain’s address was the implementation of the 29th General Chapter, which he presented as particularly relevant and urgent for the mission of communication in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. He explained how the Chapter’s directives would inform and shape the Sector’s approach to evangelization, formation, and pastoral outreach through media and communications.

Drawing from the General Chapter’s vision, Fr. Orendain outlined the strategic priorities that will guide the Social Communication Sector over the next three to six years. These priorities, he emphasized, reflect both the timeless values of the Salesian charism and the pressing demands of contemporary communication in service of young people.

Dialogue and Discernment

The structured presentation gave way to an extended period for questions and open discussion, allowing delegates to engage directly with the General Councillor on matters ranging from practical implementation challenges to broader questions of digital evangelization and media ethics.

Participants expressed genuine appreciation for the clarity and depth of Fr. Orendain’s vision, as well as for the inspirational tone he set for the Sector’s future work. Many noted that the meeting provided not only practical guidance but also renewed motivation for their essential role in the Salesian mission.

A Hopeful Beginning

As the meeting concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism among delegates about the direction ahead. The gathering represented more than an administrative briefing; it signaled a commitment to genuine collaboration across regions and a shared understanding that effective communication is indispensable to reaching young people in the digital age.

Fr. Orendain’s emphasis on both the spiritual foundations of Salesian communication and the practical demands of modern media resonated strongly with participants, who left the meeting energized and equipped to advance the mission in their respective contexts.

The online format of the meeting itself demonstrated the Sector’s embrace of digital tools for building communion and collaboration—a fitting testimony to the very mission it serves. As the Social Communication Sector embarks on this new chapter under Fr. Orendain’s leadership, the foundations have been carefully laid for a period of renewed vitality and impact in the Salesian Family’s communication apostolate worldwide.