Florence Varghese Christy –
Bengaluru: In an age where algorithms increasingly curate reality and artificial intelligence can draft a headline in seconds, over 100 Catholic journalists, writers, and media professionals gathered here his weekend to reaffirm a timeless mandate: truth, human dignity, and compassion cannot be automated.
The 31st National Convention of Christian Journalists and Annual General Body Meeting of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), held at Paalana Bhavana on September 19–20, convened under the urgent theme, “Humanity, Dignity and Truth: Journalism Without Compromise in the Age of AI.” The gathering served as both a strategic retreat and a clarion call, challenging communicators to navigate a landscape where technological efficiency often threatens to eclipse ethical responsibility.
‘Truth not spoken is a lie upheld’
The convention opened with a stark warning from Most Rev. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bengaluru, who inaugurated the event with a message that resonated deeply in a polarized media environment. Describing journalism not merely as a profession but as a vocation, Archbishop Machado cautioned against the twin perils of commercialization and technological dependency.
“Truth not spoken is a lie upheld,” the Archbishop declared, a phrase that would become the moral anchor of the two-day deliberation. He expressed concern that mainstream media in India had become “almost caged,” while smaller, independent voices faced persecution, urging journalists to maintain their independence and humaneness even as artificial intelligence reshapes newsrooms.
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Vinod Jose, former Editor of The Caravan, who delivered the keynote address. Drawing on his own journey as a Catholic journalist, Jose framed the role of Christian communicators as inherently prophetic—a means of giving voice to the unheard.
Jose spoke about journalism as a means of giving voice to those who are often unheard. He recalled the example of St. Maximilian Kolbe and emphasised the importance of rooting Christian communication in Gospel values.
He warned that as AI capabilities surge, the journalist’s task of investigating, questioning, and interpreting reality will become significantly harder, requiring even greater courage and commitment to Gospel values.
The Kunnoth Lesson: Verification Over Velocity
In his presidential address, the theoretical dangers of unverified information were brought into sharp focus by Fr. Suresh Mathew OFM Cap. He referenced the recent controversy surrounding the Kunnoth incident in Kannur district of the southern Indian state of Kerala. The incident, involving allegations against a Catholic nun circulated rapidly via social media, served as a case study in the hazards of prioritizing speed over accuracy.
Fr. Suresh emphasized that for Catholic journalists, the responsibility extends beyond reporting facts to protecting the dignity of persons and the Church’s charitable institutions. In an age where information travels instantaneously, verification has become as critical as the report itself, a principle that demands a deliberate pause before publication—a pause that algorithms rarely take.
Sr. Tessy Jacob SSpS, Secretary of the ICPA, welcomed the gathering.
The Human Algorithm: What AI Cannot Replace
A central panel discussion, moderated by Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ, dissected the specific limitations of technology in capturing the human experience. The panel featured diverse voices, including transgender rights activist Akkai Padmashali, NDTV’s for executive editor, Maya Sharma, The Indian Express’s Liz Mathew, and Fr. Joshan Rodrigues, Editor of The Examiner weekly.
Akkai Padmashali highlighted the ethical imperative of representation, criticizing mainstream media for often failing to adequately cover marginalized communities. She stressed that transgender persons possess inherent dignity and must be represented with fairness and sensitivity, a task requiring human empathy that algorithms cannot replicate.
Maya Sharma offered a nuanced take on the utility of AI, acknowledging its power to process vast datasets while firmly drawing the line at human judgment. “Human beings are driven by curiosity and awareness,” Sharma noted, pointing out that AI lacks genuine curiosity. She argued that qualities essential to journalism—courage, compassion, patience, and credibility—cannot be reduced to technological efficiency. Her caution to journalists was clear: do not become so dependent on AI that you neglect your own language, creativity, and ability to communicate.
Liz Mathew emphasised the importance of sensitivity and human-interest journalism. She stressed that truth must be communicated responsibly and without violence and encouraged Catholic journalists to remain rooted in Gospel values.
Fr. Joshan Rodrigues took this argument further, advocating for a journalism that reports “from the bottom up.” He posited that while AI can process data, it has never experienced war, grief, or human suffering. “First experience the story and then report,” Fr. Rodrigues urged, stressing that lived experience remains the bedrock of understanding reality beyond mere facts.
Fr. Joshan Rodrigues called for a journalism that listens to vulnerable communities and reports “from the bottom up.” Journalists, he said, need to experience and understand people’s realities before reporting their stories. AI may process information, but it has never experienced war, grief or human suffering. Such lived experiences remain central to journalism that seeks to understand people rather than merely report data.
Rooted in History, Looking to the Future
The ICPA, established in 1963 with Fr. John Barrett SJ as its first Secretary, has long served as a national platform for Catholic journalism in India. This year’s convention honored that legacy while addressing modern challenges. The inaugural session included a tribute to deceased members M. L. Satyan, Sr. Edith Elengikal SCCG, Sr. Neninga Maria Menezes, and Rev. Fr. Antony Ittikunnath OCD, grounding the event in the sacrifices of those who paved the way.
A significant outcome of the convention was the release of a theme book titled Humanity, Dignity and Truth: Journalism Without Compromise in the Age of AI. Released by Bellary Bishop Henry D’Souza, the publication compiles articles reflecting on the convention’s theme and serves as a resource for media professionals navigating the ethical complexities of AI.
The discussions were heavily influenced by recent papal guidance, specifically Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, dated May 15, 2026. The encyclical emphasizes safeguarding human dignity and freedom while ensuring technology serves the common good. Participants also reflected on the Pope’s message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, which warned that AI systems can reproduce biases and stereotypes embedded in their training data.
Rooted in Papal Guidance: Magnifica Humanitas
At the heart of the convention’s deliberations lay Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, dated May 15, 2026. The ICPA statement released on September 20 explicitly aligned its mission with the Pontiff’s roadmap, which calls for safeguarding humanity and negating the “culture of power” by building a “civilization of love.”
The encyclical provides a theological and ethical framework for the journalists’ pledge. Pope Leo XIV asserts, “Our first task is neither to demonise nor idolise technological tools, but to utilise them based on a fundamental principle, namely that truth is a common good and not the property of those with power or influence.” He further emphasizes the need to “promote an ecology of communication,” where reasoned argumentation and verification carry greater weight than immediate reaction.
This guidance was reinforced by the Pope’s message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, observed on May 17, 2026, under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” In his message, Pope Leo warned that AI models, shaped by the worldviews of their builders, can reproduce stereotypes and prejudices, trapping users in networks that manipulate thought and intensify social inequalities. “The task laid before us is not to stop digital innovation, but rather to guide it,” the Pope stated, calling for an alliance based on “responsibility, cooperation and education.”
Honouring Voices of Conscience
The convention concluded with the presentation of annual awards, recognizing individuals who have embodied the ICPA’s mission through their work.
Prof. Dr. Ignatius Gonsalves, a veteran journalist and media educator, was honored for his lifetime of service. His recent knighthood in the Order of St. Sylvester, conferred by Pope Leo XIV in August 2026, was cited as a significant recognition of his five-decade contribution to Catholic journalism and education.
Fr. George Kaitholil SSP was recognized for his prolific contribution to the Catholic media apostolate, having authored over 100 books on spirituality and formation.
Liz Mathew, Deputy Editor of The Indian Express, received accolades for her commitment to public-service journalism, reflecting the courage and integrity discussed throughout the panel.
In the realm of social justice, Gladson Dungdung, a journalist and human-rights activist from Jharkhand, received the ICPA–SVD Swami Devanand Chakkungal Award for Hindi Journalism. The award recognized his sustained work highlighting the rights and struggles of Adivasi and marginalized communities
Similarly, Fr. G. Arockia Sebastian Babu was honored with the ICPA-CNCI/SC-BC Award for his work on Dalit dignity and rights, emphasizing that liberating people is central to the mission of Jesus.
Environmental communication was also celebrated, with Mr. M. D. Vincent receiving the James Alberione Award for Media Excellence. His work, The Ten Green Commandments, a 21-episode series inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, was praised for translating ecological messages into visual storytelling.
Fr. Hedwig Louis SJ, a bedridden author of 46 books on spirituality and education, received the J. Maurus Award for Excellence in Book Authorship, accepted on his behalf by Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ.
A Call to Prophetic Witness
As the convention drew to a close, Bishop Henry D’Souza offered a final blessing and reminder that humanity must remain at the center of society, regardless of religious differences. The final vote of thanks, proposed by Fr. Suresh Mathew, encapsulated the spirit of the gathering: a resolve to face the future with “compassion, courage and commitment.”
The Bengaluru gathering posed a question that extends far beyond the Catholic press: When technology becomes increasingly capable of producing information, what makes journalism truly human? The answer emerging from the convention was unequivocal. It is the truth spoken when silence is easier, the dignity defended when algorithms dehumanize, and the compassion extended to the voiceless when efficiency demands otherwise. For the journalists assembled, these are not just professional principles; they are a Gospel responsibility in the age of AI.