SIGNIS Philippines Trains Catholic Workers in AI and Digital Mission Skills

A digital formation initiative by SIGNIS Philippines is helping Catholic pastoral workers across the Philippines develop digital communication and artificial intelligence skills to strengthen evangelization and ministry in an increasingly technology-driven world.

CYBERMISSION 3.0, which began as a pilot project in Manila, expanded nationwide in May, training 367 Catholic pastoral frontliners through hands-on workshops.

The month-long program opened with 44 sisters from the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart (MCSH). The participants, aged between 22 and 83, explored ways to address contemporary classroom challenges such as declining attention spans and technological disparities.

Through training in responsible artificial intelligence use, the sisters learned prompt-writing techniques and developed age-appropriate digital learning materials, including storytelling resources, visual presentations, and lesson guides.

The formation program later expanded to church leadership in Mindanao, southern Philippines. On May 5, CYBERMISSION 3.0 became part of the Diocesan Priests’ Study Days at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Formation Center in Cagayan de Oro, a major city in northern Mindanao.

Ninety-one diocesan priests from different vicariates, including St. John XXIII, Sta. Rita de Cascia, and San Pedro Calungsod, participated in workshops that focused on creating digital resources for pastoral ministry.

Participants transformed scriptural content into localized presentations and visual materials aimed at strengthening parish outreach and catechesis.

Archbishop Jose Cabantan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro supported the initiative, noting that digital tools, when used properly, can make pastoral ministry more efficient and effective.

The program’s largest gathering took place in Lipa City, Batangas province, south of Manila, at the St. Francis de Sales Theological Seminary Auditorium.

A total of 232 catechists attended the training event, which was co-organized by Faithbook PH, the ministry responsible for catechetical formation in the Archdiocese of Lipa.

Using laptops and smartphones, participants created digital materials during practical workshops focused on faith formation and communication.

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa affirmed the initiative in a recorded message, expressing support for CYBERMISSION 3.0’s practical and output-oriented approach to pastoral training.

SIGNIS Philippines said the program seeks to bridge the digital divide affecting many pastoral workers while promoting ethical and responsible technology use.

Following a break in June, CYBERMISSION 3.0 is scheduled to continue its nationwide rollout in July with training programs planned in the dioceses of Tarlac, north of Manila in Central Luzon, and Davao in southern Philippines.