SIGNIS World Congress begins in Rwanda with focus on digital communication

by Catholic Trends

August 4, 2026

in Africa, News

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The first-ever SIGNIS World Congress to be held on African soil officially opened on Tuesday, August 4, in Rwanda’s Catholic Archdiocese of Kigali, bringing together Catholic communicators from more than 40 countries across five continents.

The six-day Congress is being held under the theme, “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Well-Being,” and is expected to host more than 300 participants from around the world.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, the Congress Secretariat announced that 104 delegates had already completed accreditation.

“We are pleased to inform you that 104 participants have already received their badges,” the Secretariat said in a statement issued on Monday, August 3.

The opening session featured welcome addresses from the Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR), Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, SIGNIS World President Helen Osman, and SIGNIS Africa President Fr. Prof. Walter Chekwendu Ihejirika.

The Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, was scheduled to deliver a goodwill message virtually. Other speakers included the Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda, Archbishop Arnaldo Sánchez Catalán, as well as representatives of partner organisations.

Following the opening ceremony, delegates were expected to begin the first plenary session centred on the Congress theme. The session features presentations by the Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, and the Theological-Pastoral Director at the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Dr. Nataša Govekar.

Running from August 3 to 8, the Congress will examine key issues shaping the future of Catholic communication, including digital communication for communion, religious and cultural engagement in the digital age, artificial intelligence in media, media literacy, youth participation, environmental communication, and the role of Catholic communicators in fostering reconciliation and cultural harmony.

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Daily Reading

Monday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time

Letter to the Galatians 4,22-24.26-27.31.5,1.

Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham... had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.
The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise.
Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.
But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.
For it is written: "Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband."
Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Psalms 113(112),1-2.3-4.5a.6-7.

Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise... the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.

From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.

Who is like the LORD, our God,
who looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11,29-32.

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus... said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
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SIGNIS World Congress begins in Rwanda with focus on digital communication

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