Holy Images or Digital Illusions?

 A few months ago, I shared the following reflection on social media regarding a noticeable and growing trend: “There is an increasing trend today of using AI-generated images and videos, even within religious circles. Priests, religious, and laypeople often share these as WhatsApp statuses and on social media. Images of Christ, saints, and now Pope Francis and Leo XIV are being widely circulated. While technology can be a tool for devotion, an exaggerated and uncontrolled use may lead to a diminishing sense of the sacred and even the abuse of sacred imagery. Let us use these tools wisely and reverently. Avoid creating and spreading multiple AI-generated images indiscriminately. Sacred representations deserve thoughtful and respectful use”.

I received a variety of responses, some supporting my concerns, others challenging them. This prompted me to explore the matter more deeply and present it in the form of a more structured small article.

    

My Argument: The unchecked proliferation of AI-generated religious imagery raises theological, spiritual, and cultural concerns. 

In what follows, I present some supportive arguments, drawing particularly from Christian tradition, Catholic theology, and the discipline of sacred iconography, to reinforce the need for discernment and reverent use of such images.

1. Sacred Images Are Not Mere Aesthetics, They Are Windows to the Divine

In Christian tradition, especially in Eastern Christianity, icons are not just pictures, they are theological expressions, often called “windows to heaven.” The process of creating an icon (iconography) traditionally involves prayer, fasting, and spiritual discipline. The iconographer is expected to be in a state of grace and reverence. The icon is not merely "produced" but written, to convey divine truth in visual form. The Second Council of Nicaea defended the veneration of holy images, but emphasized their sacred purpose and liturgical context, not casual use or commercialization. St. John of Damascus, in defense of icons wrote: “We do not worship matter, but the Creator of matter...”

2. Excess Leads to Desensitization, A “Saturation of the Sacred”

Overexposure to AI-generated religious images can result in a gradual loss of sensitivity to the sacred. When such images are produced and shared without discernment, what is meant to be holy and set apart may begin to feel common or trivial. This creates a kind of “saturation of values,” where the extraordinary becomes ordinary. In some cases, the sacred may even be reduced to the level of kitsch or visual noise. Christian tradition teaches that sacred art should elevate the soul toward God, not simply attract attention or provoke reactions.

3. Not All Images Are Theologically Sound

AI generates images based on patterns, not doctrinal accuracy or spiritual insight. This can lead to distortions, e.g., unnatural depictions of Christ or saints that do not reflect their biblical, traditional, or historical portrayals. This risks spreading false theology visually, especially to those who are theologically less informed.

4. The Church Values Art as Catechesis

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2502) states: “Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God.” AI art may lack intentionality and spiritual formation, thus failing to serve as a genuine act of worship or catechesis.

5. The Danger of Reducing the Sacred to “Content”

Social media platforms promote quick sharing and constant consumption of visual material. In this fast-paced environment, sacred images can easily lose their depth and meaning. Instead of inspiring prayer and contemplation, they risk becoming mere aesthetic content for likes, shares, and digital trends. This shift reduces holy representations to superficial visuals, detached from their spiritual purpose. We must remember that sacred imagery is meant to lead us to reverence, not just reaction.

6. Respecting the Dignity of the Saints and the Church

Saints and holy figures are not fictional characters to be casually reimagined or stylized for entertainment. Their images hold deep spiritual meaning and are rooted in centuries of tradition and veneration. AI-generated depictions can unintentionally place them in unrealistic, irreverent, or culturally inappropriate settings. This may lead to a loss of reverence and a distortion of their true witness. We are called to portray them with the dignity and respect that befits their holy lives and example.

7. A Call to Discernment and Pastoral Responsibility

Priests, religious, and lay leaders are called to be custodians of the sacred. Digital creativity must be tempered by spiritual sensitivity, ensuring that sacred symbols are used for edification, not trivialization. Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his message for World Communications Day, 2010: "The new digital technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself. We must ensure that the digital world reflects Christian values in its language and symbols."

Conclusion

In an age of rapid digital innovation, our engagement with sacred imagery must remain grounded in faith, tradition, and discernment. The ease of creating religious images should not dilute their spiritual depth or theological integrity. As Christians, we are called to approach all representations of the holy with reverence and responsibility. Let our use of technology serve the sacred, not substitute it.

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#SpiritOverSoftware

Towards Ethical AI - Insights From Catholic Social Teaching

    “AI, especially Generative AI, has opened new horizons on many different levels, including enhancing research in healthcare and scientific discovery, but also raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, on our distinctive ability to grasp and process reality”. Pope Leo XIV made this observation in his message to the Second Annual Rome Conference on Artificial Intelligence, on Friday, 20th of June, last week. He expressed “the urgent need for serious reflection and ongoing discussion on the inherently ethical dimension of AI, as well as its responsible governance”. The potential of AI is vast, and developments in the field are progressing so rapidly that it is difficult to predict what the future may hold. As we find ourselves increasingly immersed in this evolving landscape, it becomes crucial to reflect on how these advancements intersect with our faith and moral values. This paper is grounded in the Church’s rich philosophical and theological tradition, which emphasizes human dignity, responsible stewardship of technology, and promotion of the common good.

1. AI and the Catholic Social Teaching

    As AI technologies gained prominence, the Catholic Church began formulating thoughtful responses to address their ethical implications. A notable example is the two international conferences hosted by the Vatican, the Rome Conferences on AI, held in 2020 and 2025. The first conference resulted in the publication of a key document titled “Rome Call for AI Ethics”. Most recently, in 2025, the Dicasteries for the Doctrine of the Faith and for Culture and Education jointly issued a significant document entitled “Antiqua et Nova: Note on the Relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence”, further deepening the Church’s reflection on AI in light of human dignity and moral responsibility.

    In his first address to the College of Cardinals on May 14, 2025, Pope Leo XIV said he chose his papal name to honour Pope Leo XIII, who spoke about important social issues during the first industrial revolution in his encyclical Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV explained that the Church now faces similar challenges with the rise of artificial intelligence and must use its social teachings to protect human dignity, justice, and authentic human work.

    These Church teachings provide a critical lens for analyzing the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, which raises fundamental questions about human personhood, moral agency, and society’s future. AI technology presents both opportunities and challenges. We must evaluate AI as a powerful tool that can enhance human life through greater efficiency and convenience, while recognizing that misuse or hasty implementation poses significant risks. The Catholic Church advocates for a balanced approach that encourages AI development while ensuring it respects human dignity, promotes justice, and fosters integral human development. We must guard against reducing human intelligence to mere computational functionality, as AI systems do, and maintain a human-centred approach to technological advancement, recognizing the unique and irreplaceable value of human personhood.

 

2. Ethics in the Development and Use of AI

    While AI is a powerful tool for human progress, its creators and beneficiaries have a duty to ensure that it always serves the common good of society and respect for human dignity. We need to oppose AI if it is misused for nefarious purposes such as invasion of human privacy, manipulation, and erosion of human agency. Transparency, accountability, and human rights protection are most needed in the design and deployment of AI systems. Here we discuss the key areas where AI poses ethical challenges:

 

2.1 AI and Society

    Artificial intelligence holds tremendous potential to advance human development through improved decision-making, optimized resource allocation, and expanded access to services. AI-powered applications can help identify solutions to complex social problems, from traffic management to disaster response. However, this technological revolution risks amplifying existing inequalities if not properly managed. To ensure AI benefits humanity broadly, we must deliberately design systems with inclusion in mind and create policies that distribute AI’s benefits equitably across society.

 

2.2 AI and Human Relationships

    AI systems like virtual assistants and chatbots increasingly mediate human interactions, offering convenience and sometimes providing companionship for isolated individuals. These technologies can facilitate connections between people by breaking down barriers of distance and accessibility. However, the fundamental qualities that define authentic human relationships, empathy, shared vulnerability, mutual understanding, and moral growth through interpersonal challenges, cannot be replicated by machines. As we integrate AI into our social fabric, we must preserve spaces for exclusively human interaction and recognize the irreplaceable value of person-to-person relationships.

 

2.3 AI, Economy, and Employment

    The economic impact of AI is multifaceted. On one hand, AI promises substantial productivity gains through automation, optimization, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. On the other hand, rapid automation threatens to displace workers across numerous sectors, potentially faster than retraining programmes can address. Jobs involving routine cognitive and physical tasks are particularly vulnerable. Thoughtful policy approaches are needed, including potential wealth redistribution mechanisms, robust worker protection systems, and educational initiatives focusing on distinctly human skills that complement rather than compete with AI capabilities.

 

2.4 AI and Healthcare

    Healthcare stands to benefit enormously from AI applications, from improved diagnostic accuracy to personalized treatment plans. Yet healthcare fundamentally involves human dignity, compassion, and trust, elements that no technology can replace. The doctor-patient relationship encompasses nuanced communication, shared decision-making, and emotional support that remain essentially human. Additionally, AI systems trained on historical medical data may perpetuate existing biases in healthcare. The optimal path forward integrates AI as a powerful tool that enhances, rather than replaces, human medical professionals.

 

2.5 AI and Education

    Educational applications of AI offer personalized learning experiences, automated assessment, and administrative efficiencies. However, education is not merely information transfer; it involves character development, critical thinking cultivation, and moral formation. These aspects require human guidance, role modelling, and relational dynamics that AI cannot provide. Excessive reliance on AI-driven instruction may undermine students’ ability to think independently and creatively if they become dependent on technological guidance. The ideal educational approach maintains the centrality of human teachers while strategically deploying AI to support specific learning objectives.

 

2.6 Misuse of AI - Disinformation and Deep Fakes

    AI has fuelled the trend of generating disinformation and realistic fake content, popularly known as deepfakes. This can mass-produce misinformation at unprecedented scale and sophistication. These capabilities pose serious threats to democratic discourse, institutional trust, and social cohesion. The challenge is especially pernicious because technological solutions alone cannot address it; distinguishing between authentic and synthetic content becomes increasingly difficult as generative AI advances. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated approaches including technical safeguards, regulatory frameworks, media literacy education, and ethical norms within the AI development community.

 

2.7 AI, Privacy and Surveillance

    AI systems thrive on data, often personal data that reveals intimate details about individuals’ lives, preferences, and behaviours. This creates fundamental tensions with privacy rights. Surveillance capabilities enhanced by AI raise profound questions about civil liberties and human dignity. When deployed by powerful institutions without adequate oversight, these technologies can enable unprecedented levels of monitoring and control. Protecting privacy in the age of AI requires robust legal frameworks, privacy-preserving technical approaches, and ongoing ethical vigilance.

 

2.8 AI and Environmental Sustainability

    AI offers powerful tools for addressing environmental challenges through improved resource management, climate modelling, and optimization of energy systems. Machine learning can enhance renewable energy deployment, reduce waste, and help adapt to climate impacts. However, AI systems themselves have significant environmental footprints. Training large AI models requires enormous computational resources and energy consumption, contributing to carbon emissions. Additionally, the hardware supporting AI infrastructure demands rare minerals and generates electronic waste. An environmentally responsible approach to AI development emphasizes energy efficiency, renewable power sources, and careful assessment of whether the deployment of AI contributes meaningfully to environmental sustainability.

 

2.9 AI and Warfare

    The military applications of AI raise some of the most serious ethical concerns. Autonomous weapons systems that can select and engage targets without human intervention fundamentally change the nature of warfare. Such systems risk lowering the threshold for armed conflict, accelerating the pace of battle beyond human control, and diffusing responsibility for lethal decisions. International agreements establishing meaningful human control over weapons systems are essential to prevent ethical transgressions and dangerous arms races in autonomous military technologies.

 

2.10 AI and Spiritual Dimensions

    Human beings possess a spiritual dimension that no technology, however advanced, can replicate or replace. While artificial intelligence is a remarkable tool and a gift of God, it must never take the place of God or diminish our sense of transcendence. Properly used, AI can support our spiritual life by aiding in tasks such as accessing Scripture, learning theology, organizing liturgies, or enhancing communication within the Church. Yet, relying too heavily on AI in worship and spiritual practices risks undermining the authenticity, spontaneity, and deeply personal nature of our relationship with God. Overuse of technology in sacred contexts can lead to artificiality and erode the reverence and mystery that are essential to genuine worship. Therefore, AI must always remain a servant of human spirituality, not its substitute.

Conclusion

    In this age of AI, the Church calls for a renewed evaluation and appreciation of human intelligence and wisdom. Real progress is measured not only by technological advances, but by the extent to which they contribute to human prosperity, justice, and the common good. There is no doubt that these moral exhortations of the Catholic Church will become a comprehensive guide, not only for members of the Church, but for all people of good will, to overcome the ethical challenges posed by AI. Calling for a human-centred approach to technology, these exhortations also reveal the importance of using AI to serve the common good, protect human dignity, and foster a more just and compassionate world. At the same time, these teachings demonstrate how open and constructive the Church’s approach is towards the growth of modern science and its impact on society, especially in a world where there is often a deliberate narrative that sets faith and science in opposition to each other.