Their present research examines the evolving relationship between Catholic higher education and online learning in view of the emergence of artificial intelligence, exploring both the challenges and opportunities AI presents in the context of Catholic higher education institutions. It highlights AI’s fast-evolving role in Catholic universities, comparing global perspectives, particularly UNESCO’s guidelines, with official Catholic Church teachings. Identifying points of convergence and divergence, the research underlines areas where the official Catholic stance on the use of educational technology aligns or disagrees with current global trends, offering insights for educators, church leaders, and policymakers.

As they zeroed in on the topic through UNESCO and Church documents, the Thomasian researchers encountered a strong reticence from the Church in embracing the said technology as it favored genuine human interaction in honing students. At the same time, the article argues that “online learning can promote interpersonal relationships, and virtual networks can be a place of human connection,” as Pope Francis himself acknowledges. As learning institutions worldwide grapple with AI-driven changes, the paper calls for responsible AI integration, while ensuring that human interaction and the Church’s educational mission remain central to learning, helping Catholic higher education institutions align technological progress with their identity and mission.

The study was included in the International Studies in Catholic Education journal Volume 16, Issue 2, 2024. It was published online by Taylor & Francis Group.

Ocampo is also a research associate at the Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics and one of the pioneering instructors in UST’s Mastertrack Specialist Certificate Program on AI Learning and Development where he gives lectures and facilitates workshops on the ethical and responsible integration of AI. Meanwhile, Gozum has published articles on the ethical use of AI, particularly in the healthcare context.

Read the full article here:

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The study examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with healthcare, offering a unique perspective rooted in Catholic ethical principles, underscoring the need for AI to improve healthcare outcomes while safeguarding human dignity as well as the integrity and autonomy of medical practice.

In exploring how AI technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing are reshaping healthcare, the article tackles critical concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic biases, transparency, and the moral responsibilities of AI developers and healthcare practitioners. It also emphasizes the importance of preserving patient autonomy and informed consent. Drawing inspiration from Catholic teachings, the authors advocate for a patient-centered vision of care which can be applied in various areas of healthcare practice such as disease diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, robotic-assisted surgeries, and sophisticated health data management.

The article invites healthcare professionals, AI developers, and policymakers to collaborate on creating inclusive, equitable AI healthcare systems that respect the irreplaceable value of every individual person. The authors assert “The Catholic Church’s core tenet is that all people are endowed with intrinsic dignity by being born in God’s image and likeness. Therefore, healthcare AI should be developed and implemented in light of this notion. AI systems created with human dignity in mind would meet the demands placed by patients without treating them as less than data points or algorithms.”

The full article is available online in Journal of Religion & Health. To learn more, visit

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The discussion centered on the importance of philosophy and its relevance to life. According to Gozum, philosophy is not just about thinking critically, but also about finding and implementing solutions to practical problems of society. He added that philosophy is not about making a living, but rather, it makes life worth living. In the same vein, Aguas contrasted the purely academic exercise of philosophy from a philosophy rooted in and relevant to daily life. In line with this, he underlined the importance of civic engagement as a critical component of philosophical education.

World Philosophy Day is celebrated annually every third Thursday of November as set by the UNESCO. In the ��ɫ, courses in philosophy form an important part of the curriculum, from senior high school all the way to the doctoral level. UST’s Department of Philosophy is one of the university’s best units, recognized in the country as a Center of Excellence. The Department also manages a peer-reviewed and indexed open access journal, Kritike. Meanwhile, the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy, which is as old as UST itself, has for centuries helped shape future clergymen into becoming astute thinkers ready to minister to the faithful.

The full interview can accessed through this link:

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The paper focuses on AI’s potential to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency but emphasizes the challenges related to disparities in AI healthcare access. The authors propose that AI-driven healthcare solutions risk exacerbating existing inequalities, benefiting primarily those in urban and high-income areas while leaving marginalized communities behind. Their research suggests an equitable AI implementation framework, drawing from key principles of CST such as human dignity, the common good, and preferential options for the poor. These teachings, rooted in justice, align closely with the ethical concerns surrounding AI and healthcare.

Using the Church’s commitment to social justice as a guide, Gozum and Flake argue for systemic changes to ensure that AI healthcare technology benefits all communities, particularly the underserved. Their proposal is timely as AI revolutionizes medical fields, from early diagnosis to treatment customization. The authors emphasize that AI must complement healthcare professionals rather than replace them, and call for inclusive healthcare systems that prioritize equitable distribution of AI resources. They also draw attention to the ethical implications of AI algorithm biases, which could disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

This study represents a novel intersection of religion, ethics, and technology, urging both policymakers and healthcare professionals to consider the social impacts of AI and its role in global health equity.

For further details, readers can access the full paper via this link:

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Complying with the Congress’s pledge to diversity, researchers from UST gave talks and took part in panels that broadened the discussion on Filipino philosophy and its role in international discourse. Professor Jove Jim S. Aguas of the Department of Philosophy, Graduate School, and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics was a major contributor to the Congress. In addition to moderating and chairing the PAP Society Session titled “Filipino Philosophy in Dialogue: Expanding the Conversation,” Aguas contributed to the Center for Research in Values and Philosophy (CRVP) Round Table Discussion on National Values by presenting a paper titled “The Ambiguity of the Filipino Sense of Nationalism and Filipino Identity.”

In the Contributed Paper Sessions, Thomasian scholars presented their respective papers: 

●      Prof. Fleurdeliz R. Altez-Albela, PhD (Department of Philosophy, Graduate School, and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics) – “What Is Levinasian in Sustainability?: Sustainability in the Economy of Being Through Levinas’ Third”

●      Junior Teacher Blaise D. Ringor, PhD (Senior High School and Ecclesiastical Faculties) – “Education, Christian Values, and the Voiding of Reason: John Henry Newman’s Personalist Education”

●      Mr. Christian U. Solis, MA (Senior High School and Graduate School) – “Towards Understanding Fidelity in Marriage and Family: Paul Ricoeur on Man’s Capacity to Promise”

●      Mr. Charles Aldrin A. Delgado (Graduate School) – “Christianity as Discomfort: Kierkegaard’s Philosophy of Religion”

●      Inst. Ivan Efreaim A. Gozum, MA (Institute of Religion and Graduate School) – “Understanding Filipino Close Family Ties Through Gabriel Marcel’s Mystery of the Family”

Aguas also presented the paper entitled “The Relevance of the Metaphysics and the Notions of Being and Analogy of St. Thomas.”

These talks demonstrated the breadth and depth of philosophical study at UST and the contributions made by Filipino academics to international philosophical debates. Additionally, through one-on-one interactions, the Congress gave Filipino scholars a rare chance to fortify relationships and build mutual trust.

The Congress emphasized Rome’s long-standing position as a crossroads of civilizations, and it began with a ceremony at the ancient Baths of Caracalla. Prof. Luca Maria Scarantino, President of FISP, and Prof. Antonella Polimeni, Rector of Sapienza University, both emphasized the merging of humanistic and scientific cultures in philosophical conversations, reinforcing this subject of interconnection in their introductory statements.

Scholars addressed pressing ethical, social, cultural, political, and spiritual concerns all week long. Topics covered included the ethics of artificial intelligence, with discussions on the implications of AI on human decision-making and the ethical responsibilities of AI developers, and the place of spirituality in secular cultures, with debates on the role of spirituality in a modern, secular society. The Congress featured round table discussions, invited sessions, symposia, contributed paper sessions, endowed lectures, plenary sessions, student sessions, and the FISP General Assembly. The goal of these talks was to question conventional wisdom in philosophy by tackling issues of sustainability, gender and cultural diversity, inequality, and other modern world concerns.

Every five years, the WCP is arranged by the Federation Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie (FISP) or the International Federation of Philosophical Societies. The WCP is a major conference that brings together philosophers, educators, students, and philosophy aficionados worldwide for a week-long discussion of a certain issue.

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The study titled “A Proposed Pastoral Approach to Address the Surge in Suicide Cases in the Philippines During the COVID‐19 Pandemic” was recently published in the Journal of Religion and Health, a Quartile 1 Scopus-indexed journal under Springer.

In their paper, Gozum and Gutierrez delve into the data and statistics related to the rise in suicide cases at the peak of the pandemic. While some cases were known before the pandemic, findings suggest that the pandemic played a role in increasing these cases and introducing additional stressors that adversely impacted mental health. These stressors included issues such as domestic conflicts, financial loss, anxiety, depression, and preexisting mental health conditions, all of which contributed to the spike in suicide rates.

Against this backdrop, the authors emphasized the Church’s commitment to uphold the sanctity of life amidst the health crisis. The Church addresses various social concerns related to suicide and the devaluation of individuals, while striving to uphold the inherent dignity of every person and adapting to address emerging challenges, including mental health issues. Given the limited access to basic healthcare in the Philippines, Gozum and Gutierrez advocate for the Church and other sectors to develop suitable programs to aid those affected by the pandemic. To this end, they proposed a pastoral program encompassing prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies.

The pastoral program draws inspiration from the Pastoral Letter on Suicide authored by Thomasian Cardinal, Jose Advincula, which underscores the importance of a “culture of presence” within the community. The program encourages collaboration between Church leaders and lay professionals to provide support to individuals involved in suicide-related cases. It envisions the Church offering support groups and counseling services to create a secure environment for sharing experiences and healing, especially for those who have attempted suicide or have family members affected by suicide. Emergency response protocols, including alerting emergency services and ensuring the individual’s safety, are deemed essential, requiring effective cooperation between the Church and mental health experts. Crisis-affected individuals may also benefit from parish prayer groups and spiritual guidance to foster a sense of belonging and support within the community.

This article contributes significantly to the expanding body of literature on mental health studies by helping bridging the gap between faith and science. It underscores the vital role the Church can play in addressing the global concern of mental health.

The article can be accessed here:

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