The Catechetical Commission of Jakarta Archdiocese conducted a one-day training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for catechist mentors on Saturday, March 22.
Mar 24, 2025
Participants engage in a discussion during the AI training session for catechist mentors of the Jakarta Archdiocese. Photo credit: Royani Ping
By Royani Ping
The event forms part of a series of monthly sessions aimed at enhancing the knowledge and effectiveness of catechist mentors, who are responsible for educating hundreds of catechists across 68 parishes in the archdiocese.
Bonifasius Damar Juniarto, a former seminarian and experienced IT professional, served as guest speaker.
Damar, who has worked with various government institutions and currently sits on the Youth Commission Board of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia (KWI), led the session that focused on the basics and practical applications of AI technology.
Participants explored a range of topics including, “What is AI?”, “Common misconceptions about AI,” “Practical applications of AI technology,” and “AI hallucinations and associated risks.”
A total of twelve participants actively engaged in the session, experimenting with AI tools such as ChatGPT for interpreting daily Gospel readings and generating poetry, Leonardo AI for image creation, and Suno for composing music.
Damar encouraged catechists to use AI wisely, recognizing its potential to enhance teaching while remaining vigilant about its limitations.
One of the key concerns discussed was AI hallucinations, where large language models (LLMs) generate incorrect or misleading information that may appear convincing.
Since AI is trained on vast datasets without an inherent understanding of truth or validity, it can produce inaccurate responses when handling unfamiliar queries.
The session also explored Church teachings on AI, referencing documents including Antiqua et Nova and Algor-ethics, which examine the relationship between Artificial and Human Intelligence.
These texts emphasize that intelligence is a divine gift. While the church acknowledges scientific and technological progress as a form of collaboration with God in perfecting creation, ethical concerns arise – particularly regarding AI’s ability to mimic human intelligence and its implications for truth and accountability.
Pope Francis’ concerns about AI were highlighted during the session. The Pontiff said: “Artificial Intelligence will never replace human intelligence. Human intelligence is unique and irreplaceable. It is a gift from God that we must use to serve humanity.” While recognizing AI as a “remarkable technological achievement,” Pope Francis insists that its use should uphold human dignity and serve the common good. He has also warned against misinformation and called for strict regulations to preserve societal integrity.
Catechists were encouraged to integrate AI into their teaching to make lessons more engaging but were reminded to verify AI-generated content for accuracy. Mr. Frans Widianto shared his experience of encountering incorrect information from AI tools.
He now “consistently cross-references AI outputs with the book Catechism of the Catholic Church before using them in teaching materials.” Similarly, Mr. Purwanto explained that AI has “streamlined his lesson preparation,” enabling him to use interactive tools like Mentimeter to engage students more effectively.
Damar also highlighted that the Catholic Church has taken a leadership role in ethical AI discussions. The Rome Call for AI Ethics, issued by the Vatican in 2020, promotes “the ethical, humane, and responsible development of AI.”
This declaration, initiated by the Pontifical Academy for Life in collaboration with major tech companies and academic institutions, laid the foundation for Renaissance AI — a movement advocating human-centered AI development and ethical technological integration.
As part of its commitment to ethical AI, the Vatican has introduced AI-driven services for St. Peter’s Basilica in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025. These initiatives include “a digital replica of the basilica and interactive AI-powered exhibits designed to enhance accessibility and enrich visitors’ experiences worldwide.”
Frans Widianto, chief of the Catechist Teaching Team (Cath Class) in Jakarta Archdiocese, strongly emphasizes the importance of using AI wisely in catechesis.
Father Carolus “Uut” Putranto, head of the Catechesis Commission, also echoes the same message, while welcoming these monthly Study Day sessions as “an excellent initiative to equip catechists with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving digital learning landscape.”
By fostering a balanced and informed approach, catechists can harness AI as a valuable tool in their mission while ensuring that faith-based education remains grounded in truth and ethical integrity.–LiCAS.news
