Fr Cletus Ashu Amah, National Coordinator of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Cameroon, called Catholic communicators to use AI responsibly to spread the Gospel faithfully.
By Magnus Ful
The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon held the 9th National Council of Catholic Communicators on “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” uniting diocesan communication directors, media managers, and religious delegates to explore evangelization in a digital, AI-driven era from 23 to 27 February 2026.
Training Communicators for Ethical Digital Engagement
Co-sponsored by the Pontifical Mission Union, the Council focused on training communicators to engage ethically and humanely with new technologies. Fr Cletus highlighted the vital role of Catholic communicators in bridging doctrine, Scripture, and digital tools. “How can they hear without someone to preach?” he cited from Romans 10, emphasizing that communicators are among those sent to share the Gospel.
Tracing the Church’s historical use of media, from 15th-century Vatican radio, Catholic television, to modern livestreams and WhatsApp parish groups, Fr Cletus illustrated the multiplying effect of digital communication. He noted that a single post can reach audiences across Cameroon and beyond, engaging younger generations who spend much of their time online.
Balancing AI Opportunities and Risks
Yet, he warned, AI also carries risks. Recounting a personal experience, he explained how AI-generated profiles of him combined correct information with falsehoods. “This is why communicators must know the doctrine,” he stressed. Only a solid grounding in Scripture, the Catechism, and Church teaching can separate truth from distortion.
Misinformation, Fr Cletus observed, spreads quickly online, often targeting clergy and Church hierarchy. He urged communicators to correct errors promptly and responsibly, citing the Catechism’s guidance on truthfulness and bearing witness. Catholic communication, he affirmed, “exists for nothing but evangelization.”
He concluded that AI must remain a tool, not a substitute for conscience or discernment. Catholic communicators bear the responsibility of using digital tools wisely, defending human dignity, and proclaiming Christ faithfully. In Cameroon’s evolving digital landscape, this mission is both a heavy responsibility and a grace-filled calling.
