Mumbai Symposium Calls Families a Beacon of Hope in the Age of AI

MUMBAI, October 21, 2026: The family must remain central to the Church’s pastoral mission amid rapid technological and cultural changes, a national symposium in Mumbai has emphasised, calling for renewed efforts to safeguard human dignity, nurture faith and strengthen family relationships in the age of artificial intelligence.

Held on October 15 and 16 at St Pius X College, the symposium brought together 202 participants, including bishops, clergy, religious, theologians, formators, pastoral leaders and lay faithful from across India. The theme was “The Family: Humanity’s Greatest Hope in a World of AI.”

The event marked the golden jubilee of Snehalaya Family Service Centre and was organised by the Family Commission of the Archdiocese of Bombay in collaboration with three commissions of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India — Family, Theology and Doctrine, and Laity — with support from Communio.

Drawing inspiration from the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia and Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, the symposium examined how the Church could respond to emerging challenges facing families.

Quoting Amoris Laetitia, participants recalled that “the welfare of the family, is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church.”

The discussions focused on the family as the first school of faith, communion and mission, highlighting the need for pastoral accompaniment and discernment in changing social and cultural contexts.

Sessions examined marriage and vocational discernment among young people, the opportunities and risks of technology in family life, and the challenges of raising children in a digital environment.

Participants also explored human dignity, work and relationships in an algorithm-driven culture, alongside the importance of forming conscience and virtue in children. Mental health, emotional well-being, family resilience and pastoral responses to contemporary family challenges featured prominently in the deliberations.

The symposium also provided a platform to share effective practices in family ministry from different parts of India.

Bishop Barthol Barretto, chairperson of the CCBI Commission for the Family, celebrated the opening Eucharist and reflected on key themes from Amoris Laetitia in his homily.

On October 16, Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay celebrated the Eucharist, highlighting two of the five principles outlined by Pope Leo XIV in Magnifica Humanitas — the dignity of the family and the common good. These principles also informed the subsequent discussions.

Through group discussions and exchanges with resource persons, participants identified key elements of a concrete plan emerging from the symposium’s deliberations.

The gathering sought to strengthen collaboration among Church leaders and pastoral workers in responding to the evolving needs of families, particularly amid the challenges posed by technological change and shifting social relationships.

The symposium concluded by reaffirming the vision of every home becoming a domestic Church, a school of love and a beacon of hope for society, underscoring the family’s vital contribution to the future of the Church and humanity.

By Fr. Gilbert De Lima

(Secty: Commission for Theology and Doctrine)