How Is a New Website Bringing Catholic Family Support Into the Digital Age?

The Northern Regional Family Commission of the Catholic Church in India has launched a new website designed to provide pastoral resources and support to couples and families across northern India. The website was officially launched on September 24 at Archbishop’s House in New Delhi by Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto of Delhi. Auxiliary Bishop Deepak Valerian Tauro, Fr. George Manimala, members of the Family Commission and the website development team were present for the occasion. The new digital platform aims to respond to the growing need for accessible pastoral guidance for families in an increasingly digital society. Archbishop Couto described the initiative as a timely effort to accompany families and expressed hope that the website would become a sign of hope and support throughout their family journey. Bishop Tauro also welcomed the initiative, highlighting its user-friendly design and pastoral purpose. He noted that the platform could help the Church reach young people and families across the region more effectively. One of the main features of the website is its collection of family-oriented resources. The section was launched during the 10th anniversary year of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation on love in the family. The resources are intended for couples at different stages of family life. They include materials for people preparing for marriage, newly married couples, middle-aged couples and those in later stages of married life. The website provides reflections, prayers and formation materials designed to help couples understand Christian marriage more deeply and live their family vocation in everyday life. The initiative also reflects the Church’s vision of the parish as a “family of families.” Instead of limiting pastoral care to marriage preparation and sacramental occasions, the platform seeks to encourage continuing accompaniment of married couples and families. Another planned area of collaboration is with Catholic Connect Matrimony, a Catholic matrimonial platform. The partnership is intended to assist young Catholic men and women who are seeking suitable partners for sacramental marriage. Fr. George Manimala, the regional executive secretary of the Family Commission, expressed gratitude to Archbishop Couto for his encouragement and to the website development team for creating the platform. He expressed hope that the website would grow into a pastoral hub serving families and parishes throughout the Northern Region. The Northern Regional Family Commission serves Catholic families across a diverse part of India, including the national capital and several states with different social, cultural and religious contexts. Through the new website, the commission hopes to make family formation resources more accessible and extend the Church’s pastoral accompaniment into the digital space.