By Charles Igwe
Bishop David Ajang of Lafia, responsible for social communications in the Catholic Church in Nigeria, has issued a compelling call for media practitioners across Africa to reassess their strategies in the face of the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the realm of communication. Addressing an esteemed audience at the recent conference of The Association of the Catholic Directors of Social Communications in Nigeria, Bishop Ajang delivered a thought-provoking message about the need to seamlessly integrate modern technology with the Church’s timeless mission.
Under the banner of “Repositioning the Catholic Media Apparatus in Nigeria for an Effective Communication Apostolate,” the conference was not merely an intellectual exercise but a strategic endeavor to breathe new life into ecclesiastical communication practices. Bishop Ajang eloquently conveyed the dual nature of the digital age, wherein information traverses the globe at unprecedented speeds, yet new challenges emerge that warrant a reexamination of established norms.
With wisdom and conviction, the bishop highlighted the digital age’s unique potential to deliver messages of hope, compassion, and love to a global audience. This optimistic outlook, however, was balanced with a candid acknowledgment of the complex landscape shaped by the advent of digital media, AI, and evolving communication behaviors. Amidst these transformations, Bishop Ajang posed a crucial question: How prepared is the Catholic Church to actively engage in the ongoing fourth industrial revolution and its implications for both the world and humanity?
The bishop’s chosen theme for the conference was grounded in the Catholic Church’s long-standing recognition of communication as a cornerstone of its evangelization mission. With every successive pope releasing a special message on media/communication for World Communications Day, the Church has consistently emphasized the importance of both embracing and understanding the media landscape. Over the years, the Church in Nigeria has harnessed various media outlets—ranging from print and radio to the more recent TV ventures—to communicate its messages to a diverse audience.
In a world marked by ever-evolving media and communication technologies, Bishop Ajang’s call for a continuous review of the Catholic media apparatus resonates deeply. His call to action acknowledges the undeniable presence of AI and its transformative potential. As the Catholic Church, in Nigeria and beyond, grapples with the shifting tides of technology, it is through proactive and adaptable measures that it can hope to remain an influential force in the digital era.
The renamed Association of the Catholic Directors of Social Communications in Nigeria, accommodating both male and female religious directors of communication, convenes biannually to synergize efforts in advancing the communication apostolate across the nation. This conference was not just a singular event, but a testament to the Church’s commitment to evolve, engage, and effectively share its profound message in an ever-changing world.
