AI in Pastoral Excellence: Udupi Diocese Hosts Training Workshop

Udupi, 12 March, 2025 – The Diocese of Udupi took a step towards integrating technology into pastoral ministry with a one-day workshop, MediaAI for Pastoral Excellence, held at Anugraha Pastoral Centre on March 11. Organised by the Commission for Social Communications and the Commission for Seminary and Religious Formation, the event brought together young clergy, commission staff, youth animators, and catechism teachers to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in evangelisation and ministry.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the workshop, stressing the need for the Church to embrace AI. “If we lag behind in this technological era, it will be difficult to catch up with the world,” he said, encouraging participants to harness AI for pastoral work.

Exploring AI in Ministry

The workshop featured three expert-led sessions:

• AI in Pastoral Ministry: Evangelisation, Catechesis, and Youth Ministry

Rev. Fr. Anil Fernandes, Director of Canara Communication Centre and Secretary for the Commission for Social Communications of the Mangalore Diocese, introduced AI tools designed to enhance evangelisation, catechesis, and youth ministry. He explained how AI can make communication more engaging and effective for pastoral workers.

• Opportunities and Challenges of AI

Mr. Leo Victor Zalki, an Oracle Certified Generative AI Professional, conducted a hands-on session on AI tools such as Slido, Genspark, Leonardo AI, Vidu AI Video Generator, ElevenLabs, Simplified, and Suno. He also addressed ethical concerns, warning about AI-related risks such as morphing, deep fakes, and voice cloning.

• The Catholic Connect App: A Digital Link to the Church

Participants explored the Catholic Connect App, launched by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), and registered on the platform. They learned how to share diocesan and parish updates, enhancing their digital engagement with the Church in India and beyond.

A Day of Learning and Innovation

Rev. Fr. Ashwin Aranha, Director of the Commission for Seminary and Religious Formation, led everyone in prayer, while Fr. Denis D’Sa, Director of the Commission for Social Communications, moderated the sessions, ensuring a smooth learning experience.

Participants actively engaged with AI tools, gaining valuable insights into their creative and responsible applications in ministry. The event equipped them with essential AI skills while reinforcing ethical considerations in digital evangelisation.

By Rev. Fr Denis D’Sa

Director, Commission for Social Communications, Udupi Diocese