Udupi, March 11, 2025: In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across the globe, the Church is not far behind. Recognizing AI's transformative potential in pastoral ministry, the Commission for Social Communications and the Commission for Seminary and Religious Formation of the Udupi Diocese organized a one-day workshop titled *"MediaAI for Pastoral Excellence."* This pioneering event, held at Anugraha Pastoral Centre, brought together young clergy, commission office staff, youth animators, and catechism teachers to explore AI’s role in evangelization and faith formation.
The workshop was inaugurated by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, who underscored the urgency of embracing AI in the Church's mission. “If we lag behind in this technological era, it will be difficult to catch up with the world,” he asserted, encouraging participants to integrate AI-driven tools into their pastoral work for a more impactful and relevant ministry.
The workshop was structured into three insightful sessions, each unveiling the vast potential of AI in the Church’s mission.
The first session, led by Rev. Fr. Anil Fernandes, Director of Canara Communication Centre and Secretary for the Commission for Social Communications of the Mangalore Diocese, showcased AI tools designed to enhance evangelization, catechesis, and youth ministry. Fr. Fernandes demonstrated how AI-powered platforms can make religious communication more engaging, personalized, and effective—providing pastors, catechists, and youth animators with dynamic new ways to connect with their communities.
Taking a deep dive into AI’s practical applications, Mr. Leo Victor Zalki, an Oracle Certified Generative AI Professional, led a hands-on session demonstrating cutting-edge AI tools such as Slido, Genspark, Leonardo AI, Vidu AI Video Generator, ElevenLabs, Simplified, and Suno. Participants explored AI-driven content creation and interactive engagement, discovering tools that could breathe new life into digital evangelization. However, with great power comes great responsibility—Zalki also highlighted AI’s darker side, discussing deep fakes, voice cloning, and morphing, stressing the importance of ethical AI usage in ministry.
The final session was a game-changer—introducing participants to the Catholic Connect App, an initiative by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI). Attendees registered on the app and received hands-on training on leveraging it to share diocesan and parish-level information, fostering stronger digital connectivity within the Church in India and globally.
The day began with a solemn prayer led by Rev. Fr. Ashwin Aranha, Director of the Commission for Seminary and Religious Formation, setting the spiritual tone for the event. Fr. Aranha also welcomed the gathering, while Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, Director of the Commission for Social Communications of the Udupi Diocese, skillfully moderated and facilitated the sessions, ensuring an interactive and enriching experience for all participants.
The workshop was not merely an academic exercise but a transformative experience, equipping participants with cutting-edge AI skills to enhance pastoral ministry while fostering a profound awareness of its ethical dimensions. The lively discussions, hands-on practice, and enthusiastic engagement reflected a collective readiness to embrace AI’s potential for the greater glory of God.
As the event concluded, it became evident that AI is not just a technological advancement—it is a pastoral revolution. With the right balance of prudence and innovation, the Church is poised to harness AI’s potential to deepen faith, foster community, and make evangelization more accessible than ever before. The Udupi Diocese has set a remarkable precedent, proving that when technology and faith walk hand in hand, the possibilities are limitless.