Digital Faith Influencers Urged to “remain truly Catholic and truly African” in Age of Intelligent Machines

Fr. Stan Chu Ilo urged 109 digital faith influencers to maintain their Catholic and African identities as intelligent machines change how people communicate and work. Speaking at a graduation ceremony on September 25, the priest addressed graduates from the Pan African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) formation program, which included participants from 21 African nations.

Fr. Stan, who serves as the coordinating servant of PACTPAN, told the graduates that their online choices will help shape the future of the Church, the digital world, and Africa. He encouraged them to act as change makers and weavers of hope and peace. He also advised them to remain truly human by recognizing the dignity of every person, noting that digital comments can sometimes cause emotional wounds.

Fr. Stan recently began a new role co-leading The Church of the Sheaves under the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization. He is also a senior research professor at DePaul University's Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology.