Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle has urged the Church in Asia to put human relationships at the heart of digital evangelisation, warning that communication driven solely by technology and strategy risks becoming manipulation. Source: UCA News.
Speaking at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Nativity in Macau on Friday, the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation cautioned against allowing artificial intelligence and other digital tools to replace genuine dialogue.
He gave the lecture alongside the annual meeting of the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communication and celebrations marking the Diocese of Macau’s 450th anniversary.
Cardinal Tagle highlighted deepfakes, online scams and misinformation, expressing concern that digital platforms are being used to deceive vulnerable people and profit from falsehoods.
Drawing on the biblical account of the Tower of Babel, he said pride, self-sufficiency and enforced uniformity can undermine communication and deepen division.
The Church supports scientific progress and media technology, but digital platforms must not overshadow the dignity of people created in God’s image, he said.
Addressing the theme “Magnifica Humanitas: Synodal Ways for Evangelisation in Asia,” Cardinal Tagle said that although technology changes rapidly across generations, people’s fundamental needs, longings and spiritual aspirations remain constant.
He described synodality as walking together on the same path, rooted in three interconnected pillars: communion, participation and mission.
Citing the Second Vatican Council documents Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes, he reminded participants that the Church is called to be a sign and instrument of unity for the whole human family.
He said communion requires Christians to share in the joys, griefs, and anxieties of others, regardless of their religious background.
Cardinal Tagle also stressed that authority and power within the Church must serve the common good rather than group interests.
He called for transparency, accountability and ongoing evaluation.
Turning to the Incarnation and the First Letter of St John, he said Christian witness grows from a personal encounter with Christ, rather than reliance on communication tools alone.
He urged digital evangelisers to assess whether their daily work builds trust and communion and reflects God’s empathy, instead of adding to online noise, gossip, and division.
Catholic bishops, scholars, and communicators who spoke at the event also called for using AI to serve human dignity and urged greater recognition and support for young digital evangelisers.
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Cardinal Tagle warns against manipulation in digital evangelisation (UCA News)
