Church media professionals from across Cameroon kicked off the 9th National Council of Catholic Communicators in Yaounde on February 23, 2026, beginning a five-day seminar on AI, digital evangelization, and ethical communication while strengthening diocesan messaging and preserving human dignity.
On the opening day in Yaounde, media directors, diocesan communication officers, and delegates from religious congregations gathered for the initial sessions of the five-day event. The seminar aims to integrate digital evangelization and responsible AI use while reinforcing ethical and mission-focused standards in Church communication.
Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi, President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communication, officially inaugurated the Council. He reminded participants that even with rapid technological change, Church messaging must remain grounded in human encounter, pastoral care, and the testimony of faith. “Despite the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence, we must still preserve the human dignity we are all aware of. That is why the theme we chose encourages us to preserve human voices and faces as Catholic Communicators,” he said.
First Day Highlights: Training and Reflections
The opening day combined formal introductions, prayers, and initial training sessions. Father Philippe Tchimtchoua, National Coordinator of Catholic Communication (CONACOM), welcomed participants and set the stage for upcoming workshops. Monsignor Paul Nyaga, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC), and Father Cletus Ashu, representing the Union Pontificale Missionnaire, delivered messages emphasizing collaboration, professional growth, and the integration of digital tools for pastoral purposes.
The first sessions highlighted ChatGPT as an AI tool to support content creation and communication strategy. Other AI tools have yet to be examined, but technical workshops scheduled over the coming days will provide practical demonstrations and guidance on using a broader range of AI applications responsibly in diocesan and national media efforts.
Participants also explored foundational principles of ethical communication, linking biblical, theological, and pastoral perspectives to the digital context. The opening day emphasized balancing technology adoption with safeguarding human dignity, ensuring messages remain credible, clear, and mission-driven.
CONACOM and the National Vision for Catholic Media
This Council is part of CONACOM’s 2025–2026 agenda under CENC, aiming to coordinate diocesan initiatives, harmonize national media efforts, and implement Church communication policies across Cameroon. Father Philippe Tchimtchoua outlined the roles of six technical offices managing media coordination, digital innovation, editorial services, event logistics, and project development.
The first day set the tone for the seminar’s objectives: preparing participants for practical workshops, AI training, and diocesan communication planning. The five-day program includes sessions on digital content creation, strategy development, and ethical guidelines for AI-assisted communication. These initiatives build on previous national workshops that established unified media management during major Church events. Full reports and resources are available on l’Effort Camerounais.
International and Mission-Oriented Collaboration
The Council highlighted collaboration between local diocesan teams and international partners. Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen participated remotely, reinforcing the message that communication is central to the Church’s mission. Participants reflected on the importance of linking local practices to global mission priorities while maintaining human-centered communication.
As the first day concluded, participants prepared for technical and practical sessions ahead, exploring AI tools, content creation, and diocesan strategy development. This opening sets the stage for a five-day seminar designed to equip Church media professionals with the skills and ethical frameworks to navigate the digital era while preserving human dignity and mission-focused communication. Updates and articles are consistently published on l’Effort Camerounais.
