Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication, called on the Church to play a leading role in shaping the ethical framework for artificial intelligence (AI), while speaking at the 7th National Convention of Catholic Social Communications of the Philippines.
By Joan April, Roy Lagarde and Mark Saludes – LiCAS News
“The digital world is not a ready-made world. It changes every day. We can change it. We can shape it. And we need Catholic communicators to do it, with love and human intelligence,” said Dr. Ruffini.
In a recorded speech delivered at the 7th National Convention of Catholic Social Communications (NCSCC) in Lipa City, south of Manila, on August 5, the prefect of the Dicastery for Communication (parent organization of Vatican News), stressed the Church’s responsibility to guide technological advances with moral clarity and human-centered values.
“The fundamental question is therefore not that of machines, but that of humans, of ourselves. There are and always will be things that technology cannot replace, such as freedom, such as the miracle of the encounter between people, such as the surprise of the unexpected, conversion, the explosion of ingenuity, gratuitous love,” he said.
Organized by the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the convention aims to explore the advancements and risks of AI, offering perspectives on harnessing the technology for positive impact while addressing potential negative consequences.
During the opening ceremony, Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of Boac and president of the CBCP-ECSC, reminded Catholic communicators of what AI would mean for the Church and for the human family.
Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of Boac, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Photo by LiCAS.News
“It’s not just a cultural reality that’s going to change. It’s an era that’s changing,” he said. “We have to keep a close eye on the constant evolution of technology,” he added, echoing Pope Francis.
“So why do we have to sit here, talk, listen and discern? Because we are now in a changing era,” he added.
The convention, which runs from August 5 to 8, brought together more than 300 Catholic communicators and social communications ministers from 86 dioceses across the country.
Dr. Ruffini presented the debate around AI not only as a technological issue, but also as a deep moral and philosophical concern that requires the active engagement of the Church.
“We need rules, we need ethics, we need philosophical and theological reflection, not just technological. We need to look beyond. We need awareness and responsibility. This challenges politicians, philosophers, educators and the Church too,” he added.
The Vatican official expressed concern about AI’s potential to worsen existing social inequalities and isolation if left unchecked.
“The fundamental question is to what extent will this new tool strengthen relationships between individuals and the cohesion of communities? Or, on the contrary, will it accentuate the loneliness of those who are already alone, depriving each of us of the warmth that only face-to-face communication can bring?” he said.
Dr Ruffini highlighted the crucial question of whether artificial intelligence can be developed to improve equality, rather than establishing new hierarchies based on informational power.
Some fear that AI could lead to new forms of exploitation and inequality by concentrating control over algorithms and data, which are often extracted from private aspects of individuals’ lives.
