“AI has a great positive impact in supporting the work of evangelisation; the dimension of communication is key because it helps us communicate with the world even faster,” he said.
However, he reiterated that technology should assist the ministry rather than replace authentic theological reflection or spiritual engagement.
“It helps in our research, but it does not replace theology or the human capacity to think theologically,” he said.
Bishop Dugu explained that the Encyclical, released on May 25, demonstrates the Church’s responsibility to provide moral leadership in a rapidly changing scientific age.
“The Church needs to provide a guide on how to deal with Artificial Intelligence. The world is changing very fast, and the Church, as a mother and teacher, must speak clearly at this moment when humanity is overwhelmed by scientific innovation,” he said.
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In a separate interview with ACI Africa, the Deputy Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Fr. Augustine Okochi, also described Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical as timely and important in an age increasingly shaped by technological advancement.
“The Holy Father is asking us to appreciate the gifts God has given humanity, but not to worship science or human inventions,” Fr. Okochi said.
He warned that excessive dependence on machines and AI could weaken humanity’s spiritual consciousness and moral judgment.
“Machines have no morality. They have no ethics and no moral compass. But God has written His laws in the human heart and given humanity the guidance needed to serve Him,” the Catholic Priest said.
Fr. Okochi clarified that the Church is not condemning technology or artificial intelligence as evil but cautioned against turning scientific inventions into substitutes for God.
“The Pope is not saying these inventions are intrinsically evil. They are tools that human beings can use to serve God and improve society. But we must never replace God with human inventions,” he explained
Also speaking to ACI Africa, the Director of Pastoral Affairs at CSN, Fr. Augustine Segun Fashiku, said Pope Leo XIV warns against building “a new Tower of Babel” where technology dominates human existence while human dignity gradually disappears.
“The Pope speaks about a world at a crossroads. He warns humanity against building a new Tower of Babel where technology dominates human life, and people gradually lose their identity and dignity,” Fr. Fashiku explained.
Reflecting on the dangers of excessive dependence on technology, the Nigerian Catholic Priest insisted that authentic Christian witness can never be replaced by machines or artificial intelligence.
“Jesus did not send algorithms; He sent human beings. He sent witnesses with voices, faces, emotions, weaknesses, and compassion,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Lead for Good Governance at the Justice Development and Peace Commission of Caritas Nigeria, Joe Nkamuke, emphasized that AI should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a broader human ecosystem involving war, peacebuilding, labour, governance, and social stability.
“The Pope is saying that everything that concerns human life must be interrogated and investigated by the Church,” Mr. Nkamuke said.
He warned against treating AI merely as a technical innovation without considering its moral consequences and wider social implications.
“There must be a God factor in looking at AI and all its ramifications,” he said.
According to Nkamuke, AI has implications for warfare, peacebuilding, resilience, recruitment, labour, and governance, all of which require careful ethical scrutiny and responsible leadership.
Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.