XUAN LOC (LiCAS News): Catholic communicators from 27 dioceses in Vietnam called for greater attention to truth, human dignity, and ethical responsibility in digital media during the 2026 Social Communications Pastoral Gathering held October 20–22 at Xuan Loc Bishop’s House in southern Vietnam.
The three-day gathering brought together 122 participants, including Bishop Dominic Nguyen Tuan Anh, chairperson of the Committee for Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam [CBCV], clergy, religious, seminarians, and laypeople, to discuss the Church’s communication mission amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence [AI] and digital technology.
During the opening Mass, Bishop John Do Van Ngan of the Diocese of Xuan Loc, which hosted the event, said that Catholic communication must go beyond transmitting information and measuring success through online engagement.
“Under the light of the Gospel, communication is not merely about transmitting information or measuring success through the number of interactions and likes, but about encounter, understanding, and self-giving in love according to the example of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Do said.
Auxiliary Bishop Louis Nguyen Tuan Anh reflected on the Holy Spirit’s coming upon the disciples, transforming their fear into a mission of peace and witness. He said Pentecost showed how differences could become bridges of communion, contrasting this with the division associated with the Tower of Babel.
Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Kham of Mỹ Tho delivered a presentation on Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, examining the Church’s communication mission in a rapidly changing technological environment.
Participants also attended specialised sessions on safeguarding human dignity amid technological advances and discussed challenges facing Catholic communicators, including fake news, divisive online content, and the misuse of AI.
Using the method of Conversation in the Spirit, delegates met in small groups to share experiences, listen to one another, and identify practical responses to emerging challenges.
The discussions emphasised that digital tools cannot replace personal witness, faith, or an upright conscience. Instead, technology must serve the human person and remain guided by ethical standards, truth, and love.
Sister Theresa Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen reflected, “I hope that with my humble experiences and especially after this gathering, there will be many initiatives, methods, and specific plans for proclaiming the Good News through the communications mission.”
Father Anthony Ha Xuan Loc shared that the gathering “strengthened his commitment to the Church’s communication mission,” and he hopes to put what he learned into practice.
The event concluded with a call from Bishop Nguyen for dioceses and religious congregations to invest in personnel formation and actively support the Church’s future pastoral initiatives.
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