Cardinal Tagle Ties Macau's Legacy to AI Evangelization
As Macau marks 450 years, Asian bishops and communicators discuss linking the city's missionary heritage to synodal, ethical AI use in evangelization.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will deliver the keynote address on Saturday, October 31, at the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Office of Social Communications (FABC-OSC) bishops' meeting in Macau, joining Asian Catholic communicators as they consider how to proclaim Christ in the age of artificial intelligence.
The gathering runs October 27 to 31 under the theme "Magnifica Humanitas and the Synodal Ways of Evangelization in Asia: Communicating Christ in the Age of Artificial Intelligence." Tagle's address, "Magnifica Humanitas: Synodal Ways for Evangelization in Asia," is set for 10 a.m. at the Macau Bishop's House. At 5 p.m. the same day he will preside at the anniversary Mass at the Macau Forum.
Tagle is Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Dean of the College of Cardinals.
A Gateway Diocese at 450 Years
Pope Gregory XIII erected the Diocese of Macau on January 23, 1576, by the bull Super Specula Militantis Ecclesiae. It was the first diocese in the Far East and served as a gateway for missionaries to China, Japan, Korea, northern Vietnam, and Southeast Asia. Jesuit Father Melchior Carneiro founded the Holy House of Mercy and St. Raphael Hospital. A Jesuit college opened in 1565.
The diocese now marks its 450th anniversary under the theme "From Macau to the World."
The meeting opened with sessions focused on humility and accompaniment in evangelization amid artificial intelligence.
Mission in a Digital Age
Program speakers include Vitor Lam on moving from pastoral work to evangelization between Hong Kong and Macau; Dr. Levi Mathonri Checketts on Magnifica Humanitas; Keith Benedict Ip on 450 years of evangelization and communication in Asia; Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr. on AI and evangelization; Professor Leo R. Ocampo on discerning AI use; and Cindy Gorospe-Añonuevo on follow-up to the September 2026 Asian Catholic Digital Missionary Assembly in Manila, which gathered more than 100 participants under the theme "Influencers to Witnesses."
The meeting seeks collaboration among Asian Catholic communicators, linking Macau's missionary heritage to synodality, ethical AI use, human dignity, and the Church's digital mission.