National Catechetical Workshop in Goa Trains Educators in AI for Faith Formation
Benaulim, Goa: In a pioneering move towards digital evangelization, the CCBI Commission for Faith Formation conducted a transformative one-day workshop titled “Catechesis 2.0: Empowering Educators with AI Training and Tools” on June 12, 2025, at Shanti Sadan, Benaulim, Goa. The event was part of the Intensive Course on the Organisation of Catechetical Ministry, drawing Diocesan Directors and Parish Catechism Collaborators from across India.
The workshop was organised under the leadership of Fr Vijay Machado, Secretary, CCBI Commission for Faith Formation, in collaboration with the Commission for Social Communication and Canara Communication Centre, Mangalore. It marked a significant step in equipping Church educators with the digital tools necessary to reimagine catechetical ministry in the 21st century.
The training was facilitated by two prominent experts in the field: Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, Director of Canara Communication Centre and a Google-Certified AI Coach, and Mr Leo Victor Zalki, Director of Oxidane Enviro LLP, Mangalore, and a certified AI professional recognised by both Oracle and Google.
Their sessions aimed to equip catechists with essential skills and fresh insights into the future of AI-driven faith formation.
The workshop offered practical, hands-on sessions, introducing participants to a range of AI-powered tools designed to enhance catechetical engagement. Areas of focus included: Report writing for catechetical documentation and communication, Content creation for catechism lessons, reflections, and presentations, AI image generation for catechetical posters and visual storytelling, and Video creation tools for short, impactful faith-based media content.
Participants actively engaged with the tools, experimenting with AI applications in real time. The training empowered catechists to design more engaging, accessible, and contextually relevant catechetical content for digital platforms.
Fr Anil Fernandes remarked, “Catechesis today must speak the language of the digital generation. AI is not here to replace catechists but to assist them in becoming better storytellers of the faith. When guided by pastoral discernment, these tools can powerfully support our mission.”
Mr Leo Victor Zalki added, “Technology, especially AI, can help catechists simplify complex ideas, create inclusive content, and communicate the Gospel with greater clarity and creativity. It’s time the Church harnesses these tools wisely and confidently.”
This milestone event reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to empowering catechists and pastoral leaders to responsibly integrate technology into ministry, aligning with the broader vision of digital evangelisation laid out by the CCBI.