PART I: RATIONALE OF THE EVENT

The Pope’s Message

In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” dated January 24, 2026, Pope Leo XIV offers a profound reflection on the impact of artificial intelligence on human communication and identity. Grounded on the classical understanding of the human person—prosopon (face) and per-sonare (to sound through)—the Pope emphasizes that our faces and voices are not mere instruments, but sacred expressions of the image of God. Thus, to protect them is to safeguard human dignity itself.

The message raises three urgent concerns:

1. The erosion of critical thinking in digital environments shaped by algorithms that reward immediacy over reflection.

2, The rise of simulated relationships through AI, which risks replacing genuine human encounters with artificial companionship.

3. The spread of bias and disinformation embedded in AI systems, which can distort truth and reinforce social inequalities.

In response, the Pope proposes a path forward anchored on responsibility, cooperation, and education. All sectors—technology developers, policymakers, educators, media practitioners, and the Church—share a collective duty to ensure that digital innovation remains at the service of the human person. Central to this is the formation of critical and ethical users through media and AI literacy.

Ultimately, the Pope calls on the Church, especially those engaged in social communications ministry, to lead in cultivating discernment, protecting authenticity, and fostering communities rooted in truth and real human encounter. The challenge is not merely technological but deeply anthropological: to preserve what it means to be truly human in a digital age.

While facing the rapid AI-driven change in the media landscape, this event responds simultaneously to Pope Leo XIV's prophetic call and to the concrete operational needs of parish and institutional communicators: How do we use AI tools well, protect our communities from disinformation, and ensure that the face of Christ — not an algorithm — remains the defining image of our apostolate?

PART II: OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT

The Communicating Christ: Regional Conference and Workshop for Social Communications Ministries, guided by the theme “Preserving the Human in the Age of AI,” is a timely and mission-driven gathering that responds to the urgent call of Pope Leo XIV to uphold human dignity in an increasingly digital world.

The event brings together Church communicators to reflect on the ethical and pastoral challenges posed by artificial intelligence. It seeks to equip ministries with both theological grounding and practical tools to ensure that digital innovation serves truth, authenticity, and genuine human encounter in the Church’s mission.

PART II: PARTICIPANTS

The conference is open to social communications ministers, parish media teams, school communicators, diocesan media workers, and members of religious communities across the Metropolitan Province of Caceres and neighboring dioceses and institutions.
Each diocese or institution is encouraged to send at least four (4) representatives.
For the workshop component, participants will be divided into four (4) groups, each assigned to a specific parallel session. Delegations will assign their representatives to these groups in the registration form, ensuring that each participant is enrolled in the session most relevant to their role and needs.
Participants who are under 18 years of age at the time of the conference are required to secure a signed Parent’s Consent Form as part of the registration requirements.

PART III: REGISTRATION

All participants must be pre-registered. WALK-INS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
There will be a non-refundable solidarity fee for all participants.
1. For delegations from the Archdiocese of Caceres:
  1. ₱250 – Registration only
  2. ₱450 – Registration + Shirt

*Pre-order of shirts available only until May 10, 2026

For delegations outside the Archdiocese of Caceres (e.g. other dioceses, schools, and institutions):
1. ₱500 – Registration only
2. ₱750 – Registration + Shirt

*Pre-order of shirts available only until May 10, 2026

Pre-registration will be done purely online.
1. Pre-registration Procedure
  1. Access and download the Communicating Christ Registration Package (Primer, Registration Form, and/or Parents’ Consent) through https://tinyurl.com/CC26RegPackage

Determine and/or recruit your delegation’s members to the conference and accomplish the necessary documents. Make sure that the Registration Form is signed by the Parish Priest / School Head / Local Superior / Organization President or any equivalent authority as this will serve as the official endorsement.
Settle the Solidarity Fees of the entire delegation either through:

Bank: BDO Unibank, Inc.

Account Name: Caceres Commission on Communications

Account Number: 008440050319

Gcash Account Name: Francis Tordilla

Gcash Account Number: 09628063106

Whether through in-person transaction or through electronic bank transfer (mobile banking, GCash or Maya), the settlement of Solidarity Fees of the entire delegation must be done in one transaction only.

Submit the following online through https://tinyurl.com/CC26RegForm

Filled-up and signed Registration Form;
Proof of Payment (Deposit Slip or Screenshot of Transaction)
For delegations with participants under the age of 18, Google Drive Link containing scanned copies of each participant’s Parents’ Consent Form; and

Receive an electronic acknowledgement receipt from the Caceres Commission on Communications.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS ON MAY 15, 2026.

PART IV: PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

TIME SEGMENT

7:00 AM - Registration & Arrival

8:30 AM - Opening Prayer & Peñafrancia Hymn

8:45 AM - Welcome Remarks

9:00 AM - Keynote Address

10:00 AM - Open Forum / Q&A

10:15 AM - Energizer, Snacks & Break

10:30 AM - Talk 2

11:30 AM - Open Forum / Q&A

12:30 PM - Lunch Break & Fellowship

1:30 PM - PARALLEL SESSIONS

*Simultaneously happening in different venues

Workshop Session 1: Getting to know the roles of the Parish Soccom Team

Workshop Session 2: Spotting Fakes, Telling Truths: Media Literacy and Disinformation

Workshop Session 3: AI for Ministry: Ethical Use, Catechetical Content, and Creative Evangelization

Workshop Session 4: Social Media Marketing

3:30 PM - Plenary: Outputs and Commitments

4:30 PM - Eucharistic Celebration

5:30:PM - Home Sweet Home

Prepared by the Caceres Commission on Social Communications

Archdiocese of Caceres • Naga City • 2026