In a move reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence across education, communication and public life, the Catholic Church in Northeast India has launched a regional strategy on 24 July to integrate AI into evangelisation, catechesis and pastoral communication, marking one of the country’s coordinated Church-led initiatives of its kind.

The initiative, NERVE (Northeast Regional Vision for Evangelisation), aims to build a collaborative digital ecosystem that will enable dioceses, religious congregations and Catholic institutions across Northeast India to create, share and disseminate faith-based educational resources through emerging technologies while ensuring that every initiative remains firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture, Catholic teaching and ethical responsibility.

Jointly organised by the Conference of Religious India – Northeast Region (CRI-NE), the Northeast Social Communication Commission (NESCOM) of the Northeast India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC) and St. Pauls, the programme signals a strategic shift in the Church’s approach to digital mission—from isolated communication efforts to an integrated regional network designed for the AI era.

“Our pioneering missionaries crossed mountains and forests, often travelling for days to proclaim the Gospel.  Today, a single digital platform can reach thousands within seconds.  The mission remains unchanged; only the means have evolved,” he said.

He stressed that AI should never replace human ministry but strengthen the Church’s capacity to educate, communicate and evangelise.

“Artificial intelligence is not our mission; it is an instrument.  Christ remains our message, and the Gospel remains our purpose,” he said.

The NERVE initiative emerged from the Regional Digital Evangelisation Programme held in March 2026, which brought together more than 100 participants, including archbishops, bishops and major superiors from across the region.  The gathering concluded that the Church required a coordinated digital strategy capable of responding to the communication realities of the twenty-first century.

The initiative envisages a shared regional repository of digital resources covering catechetics, Sacred Scripture, the sacraments, liturgy, the Holy Eucharist, marriage preparation, reconciliation, the lives of the saints and Vatican news. Educational content will be developed collaboratively, translated into regional languages wherever possible and made accessible through a common platform while acknowledging the contribution of each participating diocese, congregation and institution.

Inaugurating the workshop, Fr. Dr. Amal Raj, Deputy Secretary of NEIRBC, called on participants to embrace artificial intelligence with discernment, creativity and moral responsibility. He said technological innovation should always serve the human person and strengthen, rather than diminish, authentic relationships and the Church’s mission.

Welcoming participants, Sr. Teresa MSMHC, Regional Secretary of CRI-NE, observed that digital literacy has become an essential pastoral competency for religious communities.  She encouraged participants to engage confidently with emerging technologies and communicate the Gospel message in their own dialects.

Fr. Jeevan Kennedy, Executive Member of CRI-NE and Northeast Regional Superior of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), said the initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration among bishops, dioceses, religious congregations and lay professionals in responding to contemporary communication challenges.

The workshop’s opening day combined theological reflection with extensive practical training.  Participants explored the ethical foundations of artificial intelligence before learning to use generative AI tools to prepare catechetical resources, educational presentations, multilingual liturgical music, visual designs, video scripts and faith-based digital content.  Working with mentors Fr. Damiyan Borgoary and Fr. Renold Pascal,  they also produced original logos and Eucharistic-themed visual resources using AI-assisted creative platforms.

Organisers said the programme is intended to develop long-term digital leadership within the Church rather than simply introduce participants to new software.  By combining theological formation, communication strategy and practical technological skills, NERVE seeks to prepare a new generation of digital missionaries capable of proclaiming the Gospel effectively in an increasingly connected world.

With inputs from Sr. Helen Lalremruati MSMHC.