CEPROME 2025 Latin American Congress addressed the challenges of AI in the protection of minors

From February 25-27, 2025, the IV Latin American Congress of CEPROME was held in Lima, Peru, bringing together 514 participants from 23 countries with the aim of strengthening the prevention of child abuse in the Church. For three days, experts from various disciplines analyzed the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on ecclesial environments.

Pope Francis’ message: responsibility in the use of AI

Despite his fragile state of health, Pope Francis sent a message in which he stressed the importance of individual and collective responsibility in the use of artificial intelligence. “Not having been our hand that produced these materials could create the false illusion that it is not us who ‘do’ something shameful,” the Pontiff warned, recalling that technology follows human orders and that those who design and use these tools must assume their responsibility.

The Holy Father also emphasized the dangers of the malicious use of AI, mentioning the harm caused by the spread of inappropriate content and the difficulty authorities face in discerning between real and synthetic material.

“It is necessary for individuals, the designers of these technologies and the competent authorities to impose clear limits and standards,” Francis urged.

Fr. Antonio Carrón: “Not knowing what is behind AI makes us more vulnerable”.

Antonio Carrón, Augustinian Recollect and professor at the Institute of Anthropology of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In his presentation, he addressed how artificial intelligence represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the prevention of abuse in the Church.

“Today we can use artificial intelligence in many ways and very well to prevent, to anticipate circumstances that may arise. It is important to use it in raising awareness and in the formation of families, as well as in the educational, pastoral and parish spheres.”

He also warned about the risks of digital manipulation and the ease with which false images can be created and disseminated. “A student in a school takes a photo of a classmate, runs it through an artificial intelligence application and puts another body on it. This is something that is already well known.

For Fr. Carrón, the key lies in education:“We must educate for artificial intelligence, educate about artificial intelligence and educate in artificial intelligence”. He stressed the need to integrate this knowledge in pastoral and ecclesial formation, assuring that “the Pope has made it very clear to us, it is a central theme that is present in our lives, we cannot turn our heads”.

Child Protection Plan present at the Good Practices Expo

During the Congress, the Good Practices Expo was held, a space where more than 20 organizations shared their strategies in the prevention of abuse. Among them was the Child Protection Plan, a project promoted since 2019 by ARCORES and the EDUCAR Network in the educational centers of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. This initiative has been key in the implementation of child protection policies and protocols in ecclesial environments.

The presence of Msgr. Francisco Javier Acero

Among the participants in the Congress was the Augustinian Recollect Bishop Mons. Francisco Javier Acero, who has been a member of the Latin American Council of CEPROME since its inception. His participation, along with that of other bishops from various Latin American countries, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to the fight against abuse and the promotion of safe environments.

Next appointment: Costa Rica 2025

The event culminated with a call to action and continued commitment in the fight against abuse. “The catechists, the parent, those in charge of the Missionary Childhood or the acolyte group, these are the apostles of prevention,” recalled Monsignor Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The V CEPROME Congress has already been confirmed: it will be held in March 2025 in San José, Costa Rica, where networking will continue in order to consolidate a safe Church for all.