Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

Kigali, Rwanda Over 200 Catholic journalists, filmmakers, digital creators, and communication professionals from across the globe converged in Kigali on 3rd - 8th August for the SIGNIS World Congress 2026, reaffirming their shared mission to use media for evangelization, dialogue, human dignity, and peace.

Held under the theme “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Wellbeing”, the 6-day Congress ran from 4th to 8th August 2026 and brought together members of the global Catholic communication family to reflect on how digital media can promote unity, meaningful encounter, and care for our common home.

 

Days of Prayer, Learning and Reflection

The Congress opened with a strong spiritual focus. 

On Wednesday, 5 August, Day-2 began with Holy Mass at Saint Paul Chapel, presided over by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu. In his homily, the Archbishop called Christians to embrace humility, perseverance, and constant prayer as essential for effective evangelization in the digital age.

Later that same day, delegates made a solemn visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place of over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the need for reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace.

On Thursday, 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration, Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of Buea, Cameroon, and President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications, presided over the Mass. He challenged Catholic Communicators to be “bearers of truth and hope.”

“Authentic communication begins not with speaking, but with listening — listening to God, listening to one another, and listening to the cries of humanity,” Bishop Bibi said. 

“Our words, images, videos and digital platforms should reveal Christ rather than ourselves. They should illuminate truth instead of spreading confusion, inspire hope instead of fear, and restore human dignity.”

 

Closing with a Call to Service

The Congress concluded on Friday, 7 August with a Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Paul Chapel, presided over by Bishop Gerard Musa of Nigeria. 

 

Bishop Musa urged Communicators not to chase popularity at the expense of truth. 

“It is nice to be important, but more important to be nice,” he told participants, describing communication as “total self-giving in love.” 

“Carrying the Cross means choosing love instead of hatred, integrity instead of corruption, and selfless service instead of selfish ambition.”

Following the Mass, delegates proceeded to the SIGNIS World Delegates Assembly to discuss the organization’s future direction.

 

Delegates Laud Hospitality and Spirit of Unity

Participants described the Congress as spiritually enriching and professionally impactful. In a message of appreciation, delegate from Ibadan, Archdiocese Amb. Edith Isidahomen noted the “warm hospitality, smooth arrangements, faith-kindling liturgies, and deeply moving visits to Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

“This Congress is much more than a professional gathering. It truly strengthens our sense of being one SIGNIS family,”

 

Organizers, led by Rev. Fr. Prof Walter and the Local Organizing Committee, were praised for their meticulous planning, nourishing hospitality, and for creating spaces for both learning and fellowship.

As the global family of Catholic Communicators departs Kigali, the call remains clear: to connect, collaborate, and proclaim a message of hope, truth, and peace in the digital age.