In this week’s edition:

• “AI Jesus” takes over Swiss confessional as an art exhibit

• Relic tour canceled after allegations surface

• Support the Culture of Death, win a prize!

• and more!

Swiss church installs art piece - an AI meant to simulate Christ - into a confessional

Summary: The piece, entitled “Deus in Machina”, was installed in St. Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne and has drawn significant criticism.

Details:

• Individuals interact with the art through a hologram “Jesus” which welcomes them and promotes an open discussion of “whatever is troubling your heart today.”

• The team behind the piece says they want people to “think critically about the boundaries of technology in the context of religion.”

• Despite some claims to the contrary, the team insists interaction with the hologram was not meant to be seen as an alternative to sacramental confession.

• The program was trained on scripture and a range of theological works; while it could run afoul of Church teaching, the chapel’s theologian says it has yet to do so.

Why we care: At face value this another situation where nothing seems to be “technically” wrong - but it still feels a bit icky. If anything, perhaps there’s a better location than the confessional. Machine Learning and AI are certainly powerful tools, and the Church should leverage it whenever possible to do so ethically. This is still an emerging and developing technology, and the intersection of faith and technology is one that feels odd but is necessary in the 21st-century. Live-streaming Mass, QR codes in pews for tithing - things like these feel out of place but are certainly part of running a parish in modern society. Perhaps it felt strange when churches first installed electric lighting. This is all to say that while we shouldn’t take a blanket approach to AI, perhaps we’d do well to set aside our orthodoxy when considering whether a technology has a place in improving the modern Church.

St. Jude relic tour on hold after allegations of an ‘incident’ between priest, students.

Summary: Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Joliet, Illinois released a statement saying that an ‘incident’ had taken place at the church during the tour. The bishop canceled the rest of the relic’s tour in the diocese.

Details:

• The relic was visiting the parish as part of its tour through the U.S., and with it was a priest from the Companions of the Cross.

• During the relics stop at the parish, “an incident with the priest and some students was reported to have happened in our church,” the parish said in a statement.

• The police, bishop, and order were contacted. The visiting priest was ordered to vacate the parish and diocese.

• The investigation is still underway.

• Pillar Catholic reported the priest involved was one Fr. Carlos Martins, an exorcist well-known for his podcast The Exorcist Files.

Why we care: This is a developing story, and while the details are still emerging we’ll simply say that it’s unfortunate that such a beautiful opportunity was spoiled. However, waiting a day to publish was a blessing in disguise because there have been some developments involving our friends at The Pillar. The Pillar reported “alleged inappropriate conduct involving children,” a statement for which they have caught significant flak. Certain parties have taken this to mean “sexual abuse”, though “inappropriate conduct” could certainly mean anything. It certainly involved children, and was clearly inappropriate enough that it warranted his departure. What’s unfortunate though is that clerical sex abuse is so common that it’s the first thing in people’s minds when “inappropriate conduct” is mentioned. Since this is developing we’ll refrain from saying too much, but we’ll stand behind The Pillar on this one.

Planned Parenthood President-emeritus Cecil Richards receives Medal of Freedom from President Biden

Summary: The abortion activist received the nation’s highest civilian award in a private ceremony.

Details:

• Cecil Richards was president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018

• Under her leadership, abortions rose 10%

• Richards stepped down in 2018 due to a diagnosis of brain cancer

• President Biden commended Richards on her career in a statement posted to X.

• Biden specifically pointed to her efforts to “…defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality…” as part of her “…inspiring legacy.”

Why we care: How far we have fallen as a nation that our president, a self-described Catholic, is singing the praises of such a vile activist. While there are so many individuals doing such great things for little recognition, we’ve become a country in which our highest praise goes to those who promote the killing of our most vulnerable. If this isn’t a wake-up call to improve the pro-life ethos in America, we’re not sure what is. Let’s continue to pray for a respect for life, and we ask St. Peregrine to pray for Ms. Richards and all those suffering from cancer.

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Other Stories

• At home…

  • St. Aquinas’ Goes to Washington (the lesser known movie)

  • US Bishops to weigh giving up meat on all Fridays, not just in Lent.

  • Carlo Acutis film gains new partners

• …and abroad…

  • Former president of El Salvador to face trial for killing of six Jesuit priests, despite his whereabouts being unknown.

  • Assassin priest? That’s the accusation against this Brazilian cleric.

  • France a hotbed for anti-Christian crime, with half of violations occurring there.

• …and in Rome…

  • Bl. Carlo Acutis, Pier Frassati to be canonized in 2025

  • Fr. Metzger, a victim of the Nazi regime, was beatified on Nov. 17.

• Pro-life topics:

  • Trump might pardon these pro-life activists convicted under the Biden administration.

  • Abortions down 40% in Iowa

  • WY judge blocks two pro-life laws; governor plans to appeal

• In memoriam:

  • Cardinal Miguel Guixot of Spain passed away at the age of 72.

Quote of the Week

What’s going on:

• St. Catherine Laboure, to whom our Blessed Mother gave the Miraculous Medal, is remembered on Nov. 28

• The Immaculate Conception Novena (traditionally) starts on Nov. 29

• Nov 29 is the Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order (i.e. Franciscans)

• Advent starts this Sunday!

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