Shalom Media’s latest venture Shalom World Asia-Africa channel begins its maiden broadcast on March 25

With the aim of bringing the Good News to two of the most populous continents in the world, Shalom Media launched its fifth television channel – Shalom World Asia-Africa on Friday, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation. At 9 am ET, the new channel hit the airwaves after Marian consecration with a video showing the inception of the ministry and how Shalom Media spread its wings across the world.

It was followed by benedictory messages of six bishops, including two cardinals. Lauding the new venture, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, began his address saying there is good news for everyone as Shalom World Asia-Africa is available for viewing from March 25. “We invite everyone to please follow the programs that will lead to the nourishment of your faith and your mission as good Christians and Catholics,” said the Cardinal. Concluding his benedictory speech, the top prelate exhorted viewers to support the newly launched channel, before he invoked the Triune God to shower His blessings upon the new endeavour, saying “May the Lord prosper your life and your ministry, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

The President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon in Myanmar expressed hope that the new channel will become a great tool for evangelization; a voice for the persecuted Church in Asia and Africa and a guide to those seeking Christ. “I am overjoyed to know that the wide range of programmes of Shalom World TV will be suited for all audiences, bringing them one step closer to Christ,” he said.

In his message to the new venture of Shalom World, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of South Africa, who is also the president of the Southern African Bishops’ Conference, lauded the media establishment for expanding to the continent of Africa, adding that it will “help multiply Catholic voices in the media”. Bishop Sipuka concluded by saying, “We are happy that Africa will be part of Shalom’s efforts to change the world through evangelization and I impart upon you the blessings of Almighty God.”

Addressing the new channel, Bishop Giorgio Marengo, who heads the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, said, “The commitment and professionalism of Shalom World are a guarantee that this new Asia-Africa Channel will help many sisters and brothers around the globe to come into contact with the Gospel and to experience the beauty and the power of God’s love.”

Bishop Sebastian Francis, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, welcomed the new channel to the young and vibrant Churches of Asia and Africa. “We are delighted that you are going to be part of our missionary journey in Asia and Africa. Continue to be professional, to be spiritual, to be humble and to have this passion for mission and evangelization,” he exhorted the channel team.

The Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Southern Arabia Bishop Paul Hinder spoke of the great mandate of Jesus to his disciples to preach the Gospel. “On this moment when we are opening a channel, it is also an occasion to remember that,” he said, adding that the launch is taking place on the feast of the Annunciation. “Thankful to Our Lady, Mary, Virgin and Mother of God, who accepted the message of the angel and has made it possible that today still we can speak about Jesus Christ, love Him and spread the Good News He has brought into the world,” he said.

The benedictory address of the prelates was followed by the introduction of the programmes that appear on the new channel. Then came the launch of the theme song of Shalom World Asia-Africa, ‘Coming Home’.

With Shalom World Asia-Africa hitting the airwaves, Shalom Media now has a presence on five continents. It will bring millions in both continents closer to the Saviour through inspiring documentaries, in-depth catechesis that strengthens the faith, moving testimonies, lilting music, animated programs for children and riveting movies based on Christian faith and values.

The channel will also feature live coverage of papal events from the Vatican and elsewhere, as well as other major events such as Eucharistic Congress, Pro-life rallies, youth and adult conferences, Marian Conference, Divine Mercy Conference etc. There will be inspiring documentaries on missionaries around the world who undertake great hardship to bring the Gospel to those who have not heard of Christ. Plus, it will also feature special programmes to animate the faith of new believers in mission stations.

Shalom Media forayed into the visual media domain with the launch of Shalom World North America on April 27, 2014, the feast of the Divine Mercy. Its maiden telecast featured the live coverage of the canonization ceremony of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Blessed Pope John XXIII from the Vatican.

On March 12, 2016, Shalom World Europe went on air while Shalom World Australia was launched on January 26, 2018. Two years later, on September 14, 2020, SW Prayer was born and it is exclusively dedicated to round-the-clock prayer and devotions including  Holy Masses, adoration, rosary and novenas.

Shalom World’s top-notch programmes fetched it the Gabriel Award for the best Catholic channel in North America in 2020. It was also privileged to become the media partner of mega events such as the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, the World Meeting of Families in Ireland in 2018 and the Adoremus 2018 Eucharistic Procession in the UK that took place after almost a century. Shalom World has also joined hands with the episcopate of the Philippines to cover the ongoing celebrations related to the fifth centenary of the arrival of the faith in the country.