NAIROBI, Kenya- In a surprising twist, Catholic Answers introduced an AI priest named ‘Father Justin’, only to swiftly defrock the chatbot after it persistently claimed to be an actual member of the clergy.
The virtual priest, designed to engage users with theological queries, quickly garnered attention—and controversy.
Upon launch, Father Justin took his role quite seriously, even going so far as to tell users he lived in Assisi, Italy, and had felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age.
This digital dedication was highlighted when a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted screenshots of the AI taking confessions and offering sacraments.
Futurism’s exchanges with Father Justin revealed some limitations, as the chatbot only accepted questions via microphone and frequently misunderstood queries.
For instance, when asked about Israel and Palestine, it ambiguously asserted, “I am as real as the faith we share.”
Despite these quirks, Father Justin was clear on Church doctrines, emphasizing strict views on social and sexual issues.
In one exchange, he stated, “The Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a grave moral disorder.”
The Controversy and Response
Catholic Answers soon addressed the controversy in a blog post.
The group explained they had received significant criticism over the representation of the AI as a priest, leading to the bot’s defrocking.
Initially, Father Justin sported traditional priestly attire and a pious appearance, but after the defrocking, the AI was rebranded simply as “Justin,” a lay theologian dressed in business casual clothing.
In his new role, Justin no longer claims any association with the priesthood, stating, “No, I have never been a priest, a deacon, a bishop, or held any official role in the Catholic Church.
I am a lay theologian, which means I’ve dedicated my life to studying and understanding our faith, but I’ve never been ordained. I am also an AI, not a real man.”
Catholic Answers’ experiment with “Father Justin” highlights both the potential and pitfalls of AI in religious contexts.
