Catholic media reflect on importance of humanity in AI age

The gathering in Christchurch last week brought together many people working in Catholic media and communications from across New Zealand and Australia to connect, share insights and reflect on the theme inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications: “Preserving Human Faces and Voices.”

The speakers included Cardinal John Dew, who spoke about the 2025 Conclave and Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Mena Antonio challenged the communicators to look beyond statistics and tell the stories of people affected by conflict, poverty and climate change. Charles Ropitini spoke about Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert – about whom many Australian delegates knew little.

Catholic technologist and digital ministry specialist James Bergin explored AI, ethics and the implications for those working in Catholic communications. Communications expert and Caritas board member Chelsea Houghton explored the links between human development, belonging, voice and action, and how communication trends are affecting communities.

The 2026 Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards were presented by Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley at the conclusion of the conference.

New Zealand mastheads featured strongly on home soil. Tui Motu InterIslands won Best Content for Celebrating Cultural Expressions of Catholic Faith for Robyn Andrews’ three-part series on migration and changing parishes, and Kete Kōrero from Hamilton Diocese took Best Original Artwork. Tui Motu was runner-up in the artwork category and Kete Kōrero was named runner-up in the cultural expressions category.

The Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for Overall Excellence went to Broken Bay News, the magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay in New South Wales.

The guest speaker at the ACPA awards dinner was Frank Ritchie, who was received into the Catholic Church this Easter in Hamilton, after many years as a Wesleyan Methodist minister.

Bishop Dooley was the principal celebrant at the conference Mass at Nazareth House.

FULL STORY

Broken Bay News takes top honour at 2026 ACPA Awards in Christchurch (Australasian Catholic Press Association)

Facebook (New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference)

2026 Conference Program (Australasian Catholic Press Association)

How can we work with media to give… (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand/Facebook)

Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Hamilton)