By Chris Irekamba
The Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria (CMON) last Saturday held its Biannual National Conference/Third Annual General Meeting (AGM) Lagos 2026. The event with the theme: “AI And the Catholic Church: Facts, Fate And Implications,” held at the Sacred Heard Catholic Church, Ojota, Lagos.

The occasion brought together members from various Ecclesiastical Provinces of the church, including Owerri, Onitsha, Ibadan, Abuja, Benin, Kaduna, Calabar, Jos and the host Lagos.

The Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins, in his address emphasised that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept that should be ignored, adding that its influence has spread to every facet of human endeavour, including communication, commerce, healthcare, governance, and even religious engagement.

He called on the Catholic men, family heads and the society to understand the facts surrounding AI as a technology and its deeper moral and spiritual implications.

Martins, who was represented by the Lagos Provincial Chaplain, CMO, Very Rev. Fr David KehindeAkala, said that the church has always engaged the realities of her time with wisdom and courage, adding that in Gaudium et Spes, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council affirmed that human creativity and technological progress are in harmony with God’s plan when ordered towards authentic human flourishing.

He also cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s teaching that scientific research and technological innovation are morally acceptable when they respect the dignity of man.

“AI, therefore, is not inherently good or evil; its moral character depends on how it is designed, governed and used. At the same time, the Church cautions against what Pope Francis describes in Laudato Si as the “technocratic paradigm;’ the illusion that every human problem can be solved by technical solutions alone. AI can process information with astonishing speed, but it cannot love, forgive or act with moral conscience. It cannot replace the sacramental life, authentic community or the irreplaceable value of human encounter. The fate of humanity is not secured by algorithms, but by fidelity to God and moral truth,” he said.

The guest speaker, Dr. Eugene Ohu, who is also an Associate Professor at the Lagos Business School and Atlantic University, while fielding questions from journalists on the issue lauded the Catholic Church for taking the leadership role in the positive use of AI, especially in line with Pope Leo 14th’s admonition that they should ensure that AI does not disrupt human dignity, justice and labour.

In his address, the Lagos Provincial Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. David Kehinde Akala, urged Catholic men not to fear AI, but to guide its development and also to use it with moral wisdom, human dignity and the light of the gospel.

He said the fate of AI depended on human choices, adding that without moral guidance, it could deepen inequality, spread misinformation, erode privacy and weaken authentic human relationship.

According to him, AI can also tempt us to replace wisdom with data, conscience with convenience and prayer with productivity.

Akala called on the church to use AI ethically and uphold the dignity of human person created in God’s mage, as well as guide families, especially children and youth to use digital tools responsibly, avoid addiction, falsehood and moral compromise.

The Provincial President, John Aigbokhaode, charged Catholic men, parishes and society to seek knowledge, wisdom and discernment regarding the realities shaping the world. He described AI as one of those realities, adding that modern media if properly used could greatly contribute to the spread of God’s kingdom.

He said: “Today, Artificial Intelligence can become a powerful instrument for evangelisation, catechesis, education and social outreach if guided by moral truth.”

The Lagos Archdiocese President, Kingsley Ekwem, commended the organisers of the event for the choice of the theme and its impact on CMO members and their families.

Ekwem said: AI phenomenon seems to be the currency of virtually everything we do! While we cannot avoid technological changes in our world, we also cannot allow AI, new tools and devices to take precedence and replace our human nature. We cannot farm out our immutable God-given humanity to AI and its kindred tools! It becomes our duty and responsibilities as spiritual leaders in our families to defend, protect and preserve the values of our faith in a fast changing world!”

The National President CMON, Prince Faith UcheIwuorisha, said his orgainsation chose the theme to make CMO members understand the intersection of AI and the Catholic Church, stressing that AI is not satanic as perceived by some people, but could be harmful.

He added: “The Vatican has been supportive of AI development, but views it through the lens of human dignity. Technology is meant to serve the people and not the other way round. While AI increases efficiency, the church warns of the dignity of work being lost to mass automation. AI is a man-made tool meant to support human life and not a replacement for human judgment or spiritual leadership.”