Fr A I Fernandes

Mangaluru, Oct 26: Fr Victor Vijay Lobo, a prominent priest of the diocese of Mangalore and current president of SIGNIS India, has been elected president of SIGNIS Asia for the 2026–2030 term. The election took place on Monday, October 26, during the SIGNIS Asian Assembly held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre in Saigon, Vietnam.

International mandate at Saigon assembly

SIGNIS is the World Catholic Association for Communication, with its Asian chapter encompassing 16 member countries. Conducting the electoral process in a hybrid format, official delegates from 12 member nations participated in the voting, delivering a strong continental mandate for Fr Lobo’s leadership.

Distinguished service in Mangalore diocese

Born in Vittal, Dakshina Kannada, and ordained a priest for the diocese of Mangalore on April 24, 2003, Fr Lobo brings over two decades of pastoral care and administrative expertise to his new international role. He previously served as media director of the diocese of Mangalore and director of the Canara Communication Centre (2006–2013), where he led the modernisation of diocesan media outreach.

From 2012 to 2018, he directed the Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education, managing the prestigious state-level Sandesha Awards and bridging the Catholic Church with broader regional culture.

He subsequently managed the diocese's financial and public messaging as financial administrator (procurator) and public relations officer (2018–2023) through the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, he serves as the parish priest of St Anthony Church, Kulur, and leads SIGNIS India as its national president (2023–2027).

Vision for digital formation and inclusion

Outlining his vision following his election, Fr Lobo emphasised building an organisation that is connected, transparent, and future-ready. His key priorities for the 2026–2030 term focus on three strategic pillars:

• Inter-country collaboration: Fostering stronger ties among Asian member nations through the systematic sharing of technical resources, training programmes, and journalistic expertise.

• Digital formation: Equipping youth and media professionals to navigate emerging media technologies responsibly and creatively, guided by universal values of truth, peace, and human dignity.

• Inclusive governance: Promoting transparent, accountable leadership by creating expanded decision-making opportunities for lay professionals, women, and young communicators.

“I do not claim to have all the answers, nor can one person do everything alone. But I bring my experience, a willingness to listen, and a genuine desire to work with all of you,” Fr Lobo stated in his inaugural address to the assembly.

Newly elected executive board

The newly elected SIGNIS Asia continental board includes Pie Mabanta-Fenomeno (Philippines) as vice president, Kagnha Keo (Cambodia) as secretary, and Paul Chan Namgoong (South Korea) as treasurer. Cuc Daisy Pham (Vietnam) and Fr Nikhil Gomes (Bangladesh) join as executive board members, with Fr Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap (Pakistan) serving as the stand-in delegate.

SIGNIS India, SIGNIS Karnataka, and the diocese of Mangalore, including the Canara Communication Centre, Mangaluru, extend their heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Fr Victor Vijay Lobo for a fruitful and successful tenure as he steps into this prestigious continental leadership role.