As Asia stands at the crossroads of rapid technological transformation, the Church is once again called to read the signs of the times with clarity, courage, and compassion. From December 10-12, bishops, clergy, and communication leaders from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ Social Communication Office met at Saint Francis University in Hong Kong for the FABC-OSC Bishops’ Meet 2025. They gathered to discern one of today’s most urgent pastoral questions: “How should the Church engage with the rise of artificial intelligence?”
The assembly revealed a shared conviction that, despite the dizzying pace of innovation, the mission of the Church remains what it has always been: “to preach Christ, value every human being’s dignity, and foster genuine community.” Artificial intelligence, rather than being shunned or feared, is seen as a product of human ingenuity. As Pope Francis told G7 leaders, “AI is primarily a tool, and like all tools, it should be used for good.”
Asia, with its rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and communication styles, stands to gain much from well-guided AI in evangelisation, catechesis, and education. AI can expand access to knowledge for families, youth, and rural communities; enrich Catholic education; and help preserve intergenerational wisdom. Pope Leo XIV, in his recent teachings, has described AI as a “participation in the divine act of creation,” a reminder that it should serve the mission of the Church.
But alongside these opportunities, the bishops voiced genuine concerns. AI-generated personas, deep fakes, and simulations of intimacy threaten to blur the line between truth and illusion. The risks of distorted doctrine, biased content, and the erosion of authentic human relationships are real. No machine, no matter how advanced, can replicate moral discernment, personal presence, or the spiritual depth of a human soul.
At the core of the Church’s reflection lies a fundamental truth: intelligence itself is never artificial. Human beings, created in the image of God, possess an inherent dignity that surpasses any computational measure. As Pope Leo XIV underscored in Dignitas Infinita, technology must consistently serve to support, rather than diminish, the human person. Therefore, the Church bears the responsibility to safeguard environments conducive to contemplation, encounter, and authentic relationships—spaces wherein God communicates with his people not through data, but through his presence.
From this discernment, practical commitments flow. The Church in Asia endeavours to develop culturally grounded Catholic AI tools, digitise trusted resources, strengthen formation in digital ethics, and support families in navigating these technologies with wisdom. Youth, already native to the digital world, will play a crucial role in shaping mission-driven innovation.
The final statement, drafted on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, calls on the pastoral agents of the Church in Asia to be aware that Mary brought the gospel to the “new world” by speaking the people’s own language. In the same spirit, the Church in Asia is called to speak the language of this emerging digital world without losing sight of the human face at its centre. Through her intercession, may our communities harness AI in ways that build communion, uphold truth, and deepen our encounter with Christ. jose, CMF
