Last week, ACSTA was proud to join over 140 participants at the 2025 Mission Collaboration Initiative (MCI) Summit: Artificial Intelligence and the Church.

Hosted in collaboration with the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton and Catholic partners across the province, the event brought together leaders in theology, health, education, social services, and technology to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is already shaping our world and how the Church can thoughtfully engage with both the opportunities and challenges it presents.

The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Joachim Catholic Parish in Edmonton. Bishop William McGrattan, Vice President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop of Calgary, and ACSTA’s Episcopal Liaison, presided at the Mass.

Bridging Faith and Innovation

Matthew Harvey Sanders, a Canadian entrepreneur with deep roots in Catholic mission work, opened the summit with a powerful keynote. His work as founder of Magisterium AI demonstrates how faithful innovation can help make Church teachings more accessible to people around the world. He also emphasized the crucial role laypeople have in bringing their professional expertise to the mission of the Church.

Next we heard from Fr. Michael Baggot, LC, a professor and bioethicist at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome led a compelling session titled The Human Side of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact. With his background in bioethics and Catholic moral theology, Fr. Baggot helped frame AI within a broader ethical context. He invited participants to reflect on human dignity, virtue, and the moral boundaries that must accompany rapid technological advancement.

Rounding out the expert panel was Joseph Pedrola, Product Owner - Training at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Pedrola joined Sanders and Fr. Baggot for a Q&A panel, where they responded to questions from participants on everything from AI in education to practical use cases in ministry. With his background in AI literacy and stakeholder engagement, Pedrola brought a valuable perspective on responsible use of AI tools in our communities.

Listening, Sharing, and Discernment

One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the group discussion time, facilitated using a method known as ‘Synodal Listening’. This intentional format, championed by the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA), ensures that everyone has the opportunity to speak before discussion begins.

Each table reflected on the questions posed throughout the day and identified key messages to bring back to Alberta’s bishops. This collaborative, Spirit-led process allowed all voices to be heard, capturing a sense of where the Holy Spirit might be leading the Church in the face of emerging technologies.      

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Looking Ahead

As ACSTA continues to advocate for Catholic education, we are grateful for opportunities like the MCI Summit that bring together thinkers, educators, and pastoral leaders. 

These conversations are essential to our discernment of how best to guide the next generation – not away from technology, but toward a more ethical, faith-filled, and human-centred approach to it.

We look forward to seeing how the ideas and insights from this Summit will inform future work in Catholic Education, support pastoral decision-making, and help shape a Catholic response to artificial intelligence rooted in both divine wisdom and hope.