Presentations on Artificial Intelligence
Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP
Artificial Intelligence and Ministry:
Understanding the Promise, Prudence,
and Pastoral Practice of AI
This presentation—available as a keynote, plenum, workshop, webinar, or seminar—serves as an enlightening introduction to artificial intelligence for those engaged in pastoral ministry and faith-based leadership. It demystifies AI by offering clear definitions and practical insights into its growing role within ministerial, educational, and liturgical contexts. Participants will explore how AI tools can be responsibly integrated into various dimensions of religious life, including pastoral care, catechesis, creative writing, homiletic preparation, and worship planning.
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Beyond the practical, the session engages deeper ethical and theological questions, inviting reflection on how this emerging technology might both challenge and enrich our understanding of human creativity, moral responsibility, and Christian discipleship in the digital age.
Key Topics:
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Learn a quick history of Artificial Intelligence.
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Understand basic definitions and key terms.
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Master ChatGPT and the art of promoting through pastoral examples.
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Enhance spiritual formation and creativity.
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Consider ethical implications and future trends.
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Discover new resources and share Q&A.
Audience:
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Catechists
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Pastoral Ministers
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Clergy
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Teachers
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Worship Directors
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Writers
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Editors
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Lay Leaders
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Composers
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Communications & Media
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Religious Members
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Adult Educators
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Youth Ministers
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Parish Volunteers
Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D., is a Paulist priest, composer, theologian, and missionary. He earned his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, where he studied liturgy, culture, and sociology. He has presented keynotes, lectures, and workshops on Media, technology and artificial intelligence at various conferences and institutions, including the Catholic Media Association Conference, Gonzaga University, the National Religious Vocation Conference, the Federation of Liturgical Commissions Conference, Kings University College in Ontario, Canada, the Anglican Liturgical Network in Tokyo, Japan, and Societas Liturgica conference in Paris.​
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In October 2024, Fr. Ricky was invited to the Vatican as one of seventy Catholic leaders and researchers to participate in a Catholic AI Forum, convened by His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. During the forum, he presented on “The Prophetic Contributions of the Catholic Church to the Global AI Conversation,” highlighting the Church’s potential moral, spiritual, and global leadership in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
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He also wrote the introduction to the book publication of Antiqua et Nova: The Catholic Church and Artificial Intelligence (Paulist Press, 2024), a landmark volume exploring how Catholic theology and ethics can engage the challenges and opportunities of AI. His contribution situates the book within the broader global dialogue on faith, technology, and human dignity.
​In early 2026, he is set to collaborate with the Daughters of St. Paul to launch a new website, www.CatholicAIResources.org, devoted to pastoral resources on faith and artificial intelligence.
Fr. Manalo serves as a theological consultor for the USCCB and has collaborated in numerous statements, including the national pastoral plan for U.S. Asian Pacific Catholics, titled Encountering Christ in Harmony (2018). In his missionary capacity, he engages in various activities ranging from academic lectures, keynotes, and pastoral workshops to preaching and concerts. When not traveling the world, he resides at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City.
