Colombian Catholic Church Focuses on Education, Mental Health, and AI Integration
Bogotá, Colombia – Educational pastoral delegates from 33 ecclesiastical jurisdictions across Colombia convened in Bogotá from March 2-4, 2026, to address current challenges within the Colombian educational system and to develop fresh pastoral strategies for the Catholic Church’s involvement in this sector. The meeting, organized by the Episcopal Commission of Education and Cultures and the Department of Education and Cultures of the Permanent Secretariat of the Colombian Episcopate, marks the beginning of a national effort to establish common pastoral guidelines and conduct research on the state of religious education in schools nationwide.
A National Dialogue on Educational Pastoral Care
The National Meeting of Diocesan Delegates of Educational Pastoral 2026, held at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC), served as a platform for ecclesial discernment regarding the evolving landscape of education. Father Edilberto Estupiñán, director of the Department of Education and Cultures of the Colombian Episcopate, explained that the central objective was to apply conclusions from synodal work to educational pastoral care, creating a “navigation chart” for collaborative efforts within the educational sector.
Key Challenges Addressed
Participants engaged in discussions centered around several critical issues impacting Colombian education. These included religious diversity in classrooms, student mental health, socio-emotional learning, and the integration of new technologies into teaching processes. A significant challenge identified was the require for enhanced training for religious education teachers to effectively navigate culturally and religiously diverse learning environments. Father Estupiñán noted that teachers are currently receiving training in ecumenism and interreligious dialogue to prepare them for these contexts.
Mental Health and the Role of Educational Centers
The meeting also highlighted the crucial role educational centers play in supporting the emotional well-being of students. The Church’s educational ministry aims to contribute to this effort through a spiritual and humanistic approach, collaborating with disciplines such as psychology and health sciences.
Navigating the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
The integration of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in education was another key topic. Father José David Cadavid, a delegate of educational ministry from the Diocese of Girardota, emphasized the need to discern the appropriate role of AI in student training. He stated that a current challenge is understanding how religious education can develop effectively in classrooms where AI and technology are increasingly prevalent.
Education as a Pathway to Peacebuilding
In a nation grappling with social and territorial inequalities, delegates underscored the potential of educational ministry to contribute to peacebuilding and the holistic development of children and young people. Father John Ariel Ruiz, general director of Educational Pastoral of the Diocese of Granada, pointed out that educational communities should serve as safe and supportive spaces for new generations, fostering listening, comprehensive training, dialogue, and peacebuilding, particularly in areas still affected by armed conflict.
Contracted Education and the Church’s Presence
The Church’s role in “contracted education”—where Church entities administer official educational institutions in remote areas—was also discussed. Father Ruiz highlighted that this presence allows the Church to accompany thousands of students in territories where state presence is limited, stating, “It is a wonderful door to accompany thousands of boys and girls in dispersed territories where many times we are the only presence on behalf of the State.”
Strengthening Diocesan Delegations and Pastoral Work
The meeting identified the need to consolidate diocesan delegations of educational ministry and prioritize this area within the Church’s pastoral action. José Alejandro Díaz, a teacher at the Higher Industrial Technical College of the Diocese of Barrancabermeja, noted the progress made in establishing delegates responsible for this process in more jurisdictions.
Towards a National Roadmap
A primary outcome of the meeting was the initiation of a document outlining pastoral guidelines for educational ministry. This document will aim to provide common criteria for supporting the Church’s educational mission in Colombia and is slated to be presented to the Plenary Assembly of the Colombian Episcopate in 2027. Concurrently, the Department of Education and Culture will conduct a national investigation into the state of school religious education, gathering data and evidence on its development across the country. Father Estupiñán explained the goal is to “map how religious education is being carried out in Colombia, starting from the fact that the Church is present in every corner of the country.”
“Mapping Hope” Through Education
Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Letter, ‘Designing new maps of hope’, participants agreed on the need to reaffirm the Church’s commitment to the educational world. Father Ruiz stated, “We propose some lines of action regarding the projection of educational pastoral care. This is what Pope Leo XIV invites us to do: ‘map hope.’” The educational ministry seeks to strengthen the Church’s presence in educational communities, promoting comprehensive training that integrates faith, culture, and life, and contributes to human development, social justice, and peacebuilding in Colombia.