The Catholic community was stirred by the debut of an AI chatbot called “Father Justin” by Catholic Answers, a San Diego-based publisher of church resources.
This virtual priest sparked controversy and was subsequently renamed “Justin” following criticism of its responses and priest-like role.
Catholic Answers clarified that “Father Justin” was designed for educational and entertainment purposes, likening it to a search engine rather than a replacement for human interaction or spiritual guidance.
However, the AI’s launch and some of its answers received negative feedback.
US Army Chaplain Father Mike Palmer expressed respect for Catholic Answers’ work but suggested that the AI should have functioned strictly as a search engine, criticizing its priestly persona as potentially confusing and subject to mockery.
Some of Father Justin’s advice, like using Gatorade instead of holy water for baptism or offering marriage guidance to siblings, added to the criticism.
Christian scholars noted the AI’s apparent misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine, especially concerning the Pope’s authority.
Author and composer Peter Kwasniewski tweeted that theological questions should not be directed to a computer, stressing that seeking spiritual or marital advice from AI was inappropriate.
Despite the controversy, Catholic Answers’ COO Jon Sorensen defended the project, noting that the experience offered valuable insights into integrating AI into their work.
Ultimately, due to widespread criticism, Catholic Answers decided to rebrand “Father Justin” as simply “Justin,” clarifying that the AI was never a real priest and would continue to be available on their website.
The use of AI in religious contexts has garnered broader attention, with Pope Francis expressing concerns about AI’s impact on human life and society.
He emphasized the need for ethical development and regulation of AI to serve humanity positively.
Pope Francis is expected to address AI-related topics at the upcoming G7 summit in Italy, where discussions on establishing ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence are anticipated.
