Pastoral Communications Course Equips Deacons for Digital Mission

Mangalore, August 16, 2025: Deacons from St. Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore, gathered at Sandesha Foundation, Mangaluru, for the Pastoral Social Communications course under the guidance of Fr. Sudeep Paul MSFS. Held from 11–16 August 2025, the programme, themed “Communicating Faith in the Age of AI”, blended Church teaching, hands-on workshops, and modern media tools to form responsible and creative digital missionaries.

The course covered a rich variety of topics, including the foundations of pastoral social communications, Church teachings on media, media literacy and misinformation, fact-checking with AI tools, digital ethics and cyber safety, AI-assisted content creation, and integration of faith in the digital age. Alongside classroom learning, participants engaged in practical workshops, creative writing with AI, digital storytelling, and real-world media exposure.

Among the week’s highlights was the production of the short film Path of Hope, inspired by the Jubilee Year’s four pillars — Hope, Charity, Reconciliation, and Prayer. Acted by the brothers, it tells the story of a man rescued from despair through compassion, prayer, and reconciliation, who later becomes a messenger of hope for others. Other creative projects included a Jubilee-themed flipbook and several AI-assisted works.

Participants also visited Daijiworld, Carmel Kiran Media, and Varthabharathi News, where they observed newsroom operations and explored the role of AI in journalism and production. The warmth and hospitality of priests and media professionals made these visits even more memorable.

The week concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, marking not only the completion of the course but also a renewed commitment by all twelve deacons to bring the light of Christ into every corner of the digital world.

By Bro. Sharon Mathew C.Ss. R.

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