Agartala, Tripura
Priests of the Diocese of Agartala participated in an input session on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, during the diocesan clergy meeting held at the Bishop’s House in Durjoynagar, Agartala in Tripura on June 2, 2026.
The session was organised under the guidance of Pearl Jubilerian Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CSC, to help clergy engage with the Holy Father’s reflections on human dignity, technological development, and the Church’s pastoral mission in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
The presentation was led by Father Bala Showry, Assistant Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Social Communication, who introduced the key themes of Magnifica Humanitas. Through a multimedia presentation, he highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s call to safeguard the dignity of the human person amid rapid technological advancement and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in contemporary society.
The session explored the encyclical’s theological, ethical, and pastoral dimensions. Participants reflected on the Church’s teaching that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and discussed the Holy Father’s warning against reducing human beings to data, algorithms, or economic utility.
Particular attention was given to ethical concerns raised in the encyclical, including algorithmic bias, threats to privacy, technological inequality, and the concentration of power through emerging digital systems. The discussion also highlighted the Pope’s insistence that technological innovation must serve the common good and remain rooted in respect for human conscience and freedom.
Addressing the pastoral implications of the document, Father Bala Showry encouraged priests to accompany the faithful in navigating the opportunities and challenges of the digital world. He noted the importance of fostering discernment, promoting authentic human relationships, and strengthening the Church’s presence in digital spaces.
The presentation was followed by an interactive discussion during which priests shared pastoral experiences and concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence, social media, and digital culture on young people, families, and catechetical ministry in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura.
In his concluding remarks, Bishop Monteiro thanked Father Showry for the timely presentation and encouraged the clergy to study Magnifica Humanitas prayerfully. He urged them to integrate its teachings into preaching, catechesis, and pastoral outreach.
“In a world increasingly shaped by machines and digital systems, the Church must continue to be a prophetic voice for the dignity of every human person,” the bishop said.
The meeting concluded with the bishop’s blessing. Participants expressed appreciation for the session, describing the encyclical as a valuable resource for pastoral ministry and evangelisation in a rapidly changing technological landscape.