In a significant step towards merging faith and technology, the Diocese of Udupi organized a workshop titled "AI & Church: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Pastoral Ministry" on Wednesday, 18th September 2024 at the Anugraha Pastoral Centre. The event focused on exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be effectively integrated into the Church's pastoral ministry to improve communication, education, and community outreach.
The program was inaugurated with a symbolic gesture where dignitaries scanned a QR code to officially launch the workshop. Upon scanning, a special quotation appeared, which was read aloud to the audience:
This inspiring verse set the tone for the event, symbolizing the Church’s faith in both divine guidance and the wise use of modern technology.
The event was graced by the presence of several prominent leaders, including Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, V. Rev. Fr Vincent Crasta, Director of Anugraha Pastoral Centre, Rev. Fr Anil I. Fernandes, Mr Leo Victor Zalki, Rev. Fr Denis D'Sa, and Rev. Fr Alphonsus D'Lima, who were seated on the dais.
Rev. Fr Denis D'Sa formally welcomed the gathering and later proposed the vote of thanks. In his keynote address, Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the growing significance of AI in the Catholic Church’s pastoral ministry. He stated that AI offers numerous tools to enhance communication, education, and outreach, while also supporting the Church's mission. By automating administrative tasks such as scheduling, database management, and event coordination, AI allows clergy and church leaders to devote more time to pastoral care and spiritual guidance. This shift enables more meaningful interactions with parishioners and improves the overall quality of pastoral work.
Bishop Lobo further emphasized how AI-driven applications like prayer assistants, automated catechism resources, and Bible study apps provide parishioners with 24/7 access to personalized spiritual content. These tools not only enhance engagement but also offer continuous support for spiritual growth. Additionally, AI helps in delivering reflections tailored to the audience, deepening their understanding of the faith.
He also pointed out the critical role AI plays in expanding the Church’s digital outreach. Through social media platforms, virtual communities, and live-streamed services, AI helps maintain connections with parishioners, particularly those in remote or far-off locations. This technology empowers the Church to maintain a strong digital presence and foster deeper spiritual connections.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony honoring Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo for his appointment as Chairman of the CCBI (Conference of Catholic Bishops of India) Pastoral Plan Facilitation Committee, a prestigious role that reflects his dedication to advancing the Church's pastoral mission.
This workshop marks a forward-thinking approach for the Diocese of Udupi as it embraces AI to enhance the spiritual and operational aspects of the Church, positioning itself as a key player in the digital transformation of pastoral care.
The workshop will feature prominent speakers from the AI and Church community, including:
- Rev. Fr Anil I. Fernandes, a Google-certified AI coach and media professional, who is also the Director of CCC Mangalore.
- Mr Leo Victor Zalki, an Oracle and Google-certified AI professional, AI Evolution mentor, and Director of Oxidane Enviro Ltd.
The workshop covered a wide array of advanced AI tools, including:
- ChatGPT for conversational AI and enhancing communication with parishioners.
- Copilot for assisting in content creation and productivity within church operations.
- Storytellor for engaging storytelling in pastoral teachings and religious education.
- Leonardo AI for leveraging creativity in church projects and digital content.
- Idiogram for improving language and communication efficiency in ministry.
- Haiper AI for managing data and automating pastoral work tasks.
- Immersity AI for immersive learning experiences in catechism and spiritual education.
- ElevenLabs AI for transforming text into lifelike speech for sermons and presentations.
- Gamma.app for creating interactive presentations and digital sermons.
- Suno.com for creating high-quality audio and podcasts for church outreach.
- OneAI.com for enhancing parishioner interaction and automating pastoral workflows.
- Storyteller.ai for creating engaging spiritual narratives and personalized content for parishioners.
