The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] recently appointed Father John Mi Shen as the new Executive Secretary of its Office of Social Communication [OSC]. A native of mainland China and a seasoned pastoral communicator, He brings decades of experience in faith-based media to this new role, including leadership at Radio Veritas Asia [RVA]. In this interview with the Sunday Examiner, he reflects on his journey in media, the recent tensions surrounding RVA, the promise of collaboration among Asian Catholic media, and the ethical challenges and possibilities posed by artificial intelligence [AI].
Father Mi Shen was born on 25 January 1980, and ordained a priest in the Diocese of Zhaoxian on 18 June 2010. He holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the University of Santo Tomas [UST], Manila, with a major in Social and Pastoral Communication. He served in his home diocese before joining RVA in Manila in 2012 as the coordinator of its Mandarin Service. He now teaches communication at UST and has served as RVA’s programme director since August 2024.
Q: Father Mi, can you tell us about your journey into communication and how it led you to Radio Veritas Asia?
A: My journey with Radio Veritas Asia began long before I ever imagined working in media. I was five-years-old when I first listened to RVA’s Mandarin programmes in the arms of my grandfather. That daily habit laid the foundation for my understanding of faith and the Church. When I entered the seminary, I found many of my classmates had similar memories—it had quietly shaped our faith.”
“Years later, during my studies at the University of Santo Tomas, I visited RVA’s campus in Quezon City for the first time—an unforgettable moment. I soon began volunteering with the Mandarin Service, helping to broadcast Church news. In 2012, I became the first coordinator of the Mandarin Service from mainland China—a symbolic and significant step for RVA. Then in 2024, I was appointed programme director. And now, with this new responsibility as executive secretary of the FABC Office of Social Communication, I see it as a continuation of my mission to serve the Church through media, with gratitude and faith.
Q: The recent friction between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and FABC regarding RVA drew public attention. What happened, and what lies ahead?
A: Like many Church institutions going through change, RVA has experienced moments of tension and transition. At the heart of the recent issues were different visions and communication gaps—natural challenges when working across cultures and leadership structures. But I don’t see it as a crisis so much as a moment for reflection and renewal.
I envision RVA as a dynamic platform of networking, where stories and experiences across Asia are shared and appreciated
This experience reminded me that our mission is not about positions or institutions, but about serving the Church in Asia through clear, compassionate, and creative communication. The key now is listening and dialogue. There is real hope moving forward. Many desire a renewal of trust and collaboration, rooted in humility and synodality. RVA’s future must be one of deeper communion with the FABC—faithful to our identity as a media ministry serving the Church in Asia.
Q: What are your hopes for RVA’s development in the coming years?
A: I envision RVA as a dynamic platform of networking, where stories and experiences across Asia are shared and appreciated. We are a continent rich in diversity—languages, cultures, contexts—and we need platforms that connect rather than divide.
I also hope RVA becomes a hub for both reliable Catholic news and the formation of young communicators, rooted in gospel values and equipped for today’s digital world. Media is not just about broadcasting; it’s about accompanying, mentoring, and empowering.
Ultimately, I dream of RVA becoming a true digital missionary community—one that listens, engages, and journeys with people where they are.
AI is only a tool. The heart of communication remains the human person. Relationships, discernment, and authenticity cannot be automated
Q: With the rise of artificial intelligence, how do you see it affecting RVA and Church communication?
A: AI is a gift—like every communication tool, it can be used to proclaim truth, goodness, and beauty. It’s already helping us in many practical ways—translating, transcribing, archiving, and content creation. For a multilingual platform like RVA, it’s a blessing.
However, AI is only a tool. The heart of communication remains the human person. Relationships, discernment, and authenticity cannot be automated. We must use AI responsibly. If we over-rely on it, we risk losing the personal voice of the Church. At RVA, our goal is to ensure AI serves the mission, not the other way around. The Church needs communicators who are both tech-savvy and spiritually grounded.
Q: Do you see greater collaboration among FABC media partners in the future?
A: Joyfully, yes! Collaboration is not just possible—it is necessary. Across Asia, we have countless creative and committed Catholic communicators, each serving in different contexts. Imagine what we can do together: joint training programmes, co-produced content, regional media forums. The diversity of Asia is not a barrier—it’s our treasure.
I believe RVA can be a meeting point for this, a platform where ideas, stories, and dreams converge. The FABC is well-positioned to take the lead, and this is part of the OSC’s mandate. Guided by a spirit of synodality, we can become a more connected, listening Church, united in our media apostolate.
Collaboration is more than a strategy—it’s a sign of communion. That gives me great hope for the Church in Asia.
