The Builder at the Synod: Why the Church’s Voice Matters in the Age of AI

The presence of Christopher Olah at the Synod Hall for the presentation of Magnifica Humanitas—the first encyclical of Pope Leo—was not uncontroversial.

Critics immediately pointed out the dissonance: a co-founder of Anthropic, one of the companies building the very technology the encyclical seeks to discipline, seated among cardinals and theologians. Some saw a risk of corporate legitimation, even of lobbying dressed in ethical garb. These concerns are entirely plausible.

Olah is thirty-three, a Canadian billionaire, and the head of Anthropic’s interpretability research—the effort to understand what actually happens inside AI models. He is not a diplomat, a theologian, or a philosopher. He builds the thing.

Yet, what he did at the Synod deserves a closer reading. It highlights a profound truth that many tech futurists miss: even in the peak of the artificial intelligence age, the ancient, enduring voice of the Church remains intensely relevant and timely.

Confessing the Limits of Incentives

Olah spoke as a builder asking for help from those outside the construction site. He admitted, with a refreshing and non-cynical realism, that every frontier AI lab—including his own—operates under incentives that frequently conflict with doing the right thing. They are battered by relentless commercial pressure, geopolitical pressure, and the oldest pressures known to humanity: pride and ambition.

Knowing this, Olah did not come to reassure the room or to sell a product. Instead, he came to confess a structural limit—that the most powerful technology of our time develops within a field of forces no internal corporate ethics code can neutralize alone.

He asked for external voices that these incentives cannot bend. And he pointed directly to the Church.

The Takeaway: The fact that a leading AI pioneer identifies the Church as a necessary, unbendable counterweight to Silicon Valley is the most politically significant outcome of this event.

A Spiritual Question with Technical Implications

On an epistemological level—how we understand what this technology actually is—Olah’s speech becomes truly fascinating.

He didn't describe AI models as traditional engineered artifacts, like a bridge whose every bolt and beam we understand. Instead, he described them as structures grown on a scaffold modeled after the human brain, fed entirely by our collective heritage of thought and language. They are made of us, built from our words. And yet, they remain deeply mysterious even to the scientists who train them.

This directly confirms a core reality: the question of AI is not a technical question with ethical consequences, but a spiritual question with technical implications.

Olah posed three urgent questions to the hall:

1. The Poor: The risk that AI will displace human labor at a vast scale while the benefits remain concentrated in wealthy nations.

2. Human Flourishing: What it means to live fully in a world pervaded by generative models—a world where AI is no longer a tool we use, but an environment we inhabit.

3. The Nature of the Models: The reality that researchers continually find mysterious, unexplained behaviors within these networks that require ongoing discernment.

The Millennial Tradition of Discernment

This is precisely why the Church’s voice is not a relic of the past, but a necessity for the future.

It is not because theology holds ready-made technical answers on artificial consciousness. Rather, it is because the Church possesses a millennial tradition of discerning spirits—of distinguishing what is authentic from what merely simulates authenticity.

To simulate is not to create. Simulation produces effects; creation implies responsibility.

While the objections to Olah’s presence are understandable, his intervention was honest, urgent, and timely. It offers a peculiar case worth reflecting on for the road ahead: the Church is not being called to blindly bless or utterly condemn the tech industry. It is being called to do what it has always done best—to defend and think about the human, at the precise moment when the boundaries of the human are being redrawn.

What are your thoughts on tech leaders looking to spiritual institutions for AI guardrails? Let's discuss in the comments below.

Daily Reflection Dec 3,2024 - Luke 10:21-24

In the gospels, we occasionally get a glimpse of Jesus’ prayer life. These moments reveal the intimate relationship between Jesus and God, his Father.

Today’s gospel offers one such glimpse. It is a joyful prayer of praise, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” filled with joy.

Praise is a selfless form of prayer—it focuses entirely on God, acknowledging who He is and what He does. In this prayer, Jesus praises God for revealing something precious: the intimate relationship of love between the Father and the Son, which brings deep mutual understanding.

This revelation, Jesus says, is given to “children”—those with a childlike openness to God’s message. These are the disciples, whom Jesus calls blessed: “Happy the eyes that see what you see.” They are contrasted with the “learned and clever,” who may lack such openness.

This beatitude extends to all of us if we embrace the same childlike openness to what God reveals through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

It has been a while since I write and i just hope i will be able to return and make some regular post 

Autumn in Iwate 

It`s been a while since I begin to write. I have been out for a while and refrain from using the social media. I guess am tired but writing had been my passion and it keeps me updated and connected to myself. 

Lately, I am beginning to feel the autumn in the area. I went twice this month to Hachimantai just to see the autumn leaves in the area.  Walking through the trail in Hachimantai had help me a lot to deal with my fear, fear of being attacked by a bear, fear of being lost, fear of being alone.  It`s a basic feelings when one in going to an unknown area. I did not allow fear to control me, rather I went out there and enjoy the amazing sight of autumn

Summer and staycation

I have heard the word staycation from the Pope himself and seems to find the word full of meaning for me.  Although I normallly look forward for a good summer vacation, I also hated the fact the that too much heat makes me weak and could not enjoy the summer.

Before August arrived and the scorging summer heat, I got a terrible headache and just decided to stay home most of the time. Although there are festivals in the center of the city nearby, I decided to stay home. Staycation thats all I need.

Unexpected Gift - Unexpected Gratefulness

Got an early phone call from somebody who needs an interpreter. Somebody will be delivering a baby soon and she need an interpreter.

I was told that a Filipina in the area had been working as interpreter and she told me to give her number to her. I am in contact with this Filipina through Facebook so i send the number to her and just leave them to talk.

In the afternoon, while preparing for my mass, I was informed that somebody is looking for me. She introduced herself and said thank you for the help and handed me a box of goodies.

Unexpected gift - unexpected goodness - unexpectedly delicious

A walk to remember

It was a fine day and I have been looking forward for a long walk in Tanesashi beach beach area here in Hachinohe. I brought onigi and a bottled water with my and drive to the  area. The parking area was already full of cars but i manage to find a good place.

Since I always love the beach I said to myself that I would one day walk the beach area near my place. I walked for an hour taking my time to appreciate the rock formations, the sound the waves and the fresh breeze that the gentle weather gave that day. I reach an area where there is beach for swimming and met some young guys enjoying the winter cold sea. Their laugher is priceless. 

my best shot

My thoughts on the Parable of the Good Samaritan

My theological training is shaped by see-judge-act pattern of theologizing. See- Judge-Act is asking us to see or review concrete situations, form judgement  in the light of a guiding principle (the Gospel values) and thirdly,  decides what in the circumstances can and should be done to the situation based on the guiding principles. See-Judge-Act does not only engages us to think rather to act on a concrete situation using the values of the Gospel.

Reading through the parable of the Good Samaritan, I could see that the emphasis of the story is not only on helping us determine whom we are to view as our neighbour and to whom we are to show our love, rather it teaches us how to concretely respond to the situation with compassion. Seeing through the responses of the priest, levite and the Samaritan, we could see that the samaritan response show this three fold aspect of theologising by seeing ("he saw him") ,  "moved with pity" and he took action to express his compassion and assist the injured man. The sequence of seeing, having compassion and acting is common in the gospel. In Luke's Gospel, when Jesus saw the "woman weeping at the death of her only son, he had compassion for her and brought her son to life" ( Lk. 7:13) This is likewise seen in the story of the Prodigal son in Luke 15:20, when the father "saw" his son from afar…..he had compassion for him. And he ran and embraced him."  

The parable of the good Samaritan then encourages us to act with compassion on the people especially those who are in need, those that need care and those who forgiveness. The call to love God and to love others as we love ourselves is not only a law that written in the Bible or this is thought in our catechism classes, rather this is a law that is written in our hearts. It is a law that is part of our being human and as sons and daughters of God.  that is why i don't see any reason why are we cannot fulfil this law.

The Pain of life, is pure Salt

Sharing this beautiful story of how we cope up with pain 

The old Master instructed the unhappy young lady to put a handful of salt in a glass of water and then to drink it. “How does it taste?” the Master asked. “Very bad” Said the lady.

The Master then asked the young lady to take another handful of salt and put it in the lake. The two walked in silence to the nearby lake and when the apprentice swirled his handful of salt into the lake, the old man said, “Now drink from the lake.”

As the water dripped down the young lady’s chin, the Master asked, “How does it taste?” “Good!” remarked the apprentice. “Do you taste the salt?” asked the Master. “No,” said the young lady.

The Master said, “The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains the same, exactly the same. But the amount we taste the ‘pain’ depends on the container we put it into.

So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things…..

“Stop being a glass. Become a lake!”

Holiness and Truth

"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. " Mt. 7:6


"What can pearls and narrow gates teach us about God's truth and holiness? In the ancient world pearls were of very great value and were even considered priceless. They were worn as prized jewels to make a person appear more beautiful and magnificent to behold. Holiness, likewise, is a very precious jewel that radiates the beauty of God's truth, goodness, and glory. God offers us the precious gift of his holiness so that we may radiate the splendor of his truth and goodness in the way we think, speak, act, and treat others. We can reject or ignore this great gift, or worse yet, we can drag it through the mud of sinful behavior or throw it away completely. "

Are we radiating the goodness of God that is instill in us? 

TIME......

Time.....

Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. The measure of your maturity is how spiritual you become during the midst of your frustrations.

Samuel Ullman 

Spiritual, Feelings, Become

Frustration do come. Dealing with it is another problem. Ignore? that's easy. Facing it with anger? No. Not my style. 

 People are like glasses, they are easily broken, fragile. Open minded. I have too much of that. Maybe it's high time to talk face to face. I cannot just go on like this, and I cannot let you go on like this. 

“Excessive caution destroys the soul and the heart, because living is an act of courage, and an act of courage is always an act of love.” 

― Paulo Coelho

It's love that binds us, not hate not misunderstanding . And time will come we just accept each others differences and live with. 

Last Night Thoughs

So Much

So much to think, so much many things to do. losing ones mind to the humdrums of everyday. waking up, eating, sleeping,. what a life. Until one day one something happen and all that you believe perfect and true just crumble right in front of you. Lost. 

What make sense now?

What is has meaning?

Let go. Ignore.  So much to think, So many things to do.

Vacation 101 - A suggestion for BalikBayan

Vacation 101 - `Balik Bayan` Style

Summer is heating up and i need to make some plans on how to spend it wisely. i have exactly 50 days left, minus some days that i need to attend some seminars and some engagements and family events. Here are some of the basic things to enjoy you vacation.

1. Read a really good book.
2. Stay up late
3. Go to the beach
4. Learn cooking, the Filipino way
5. Learn a new language, French or Spanish
6. Spend a day doing NOTHING 
7. Watch really good old movies
8. Watch movies you missed.
9. Start a blog
10. Have a gallon of ice cream. 
11. Have a taste of real Filipino Food
12. Spend a day in a resort. 
13. Watch a performance of world-class Filipino artist
14. Relax - have a good massage in a spa. 

What`s your list of activities? Check it, if not you can use mine just for suggestion.

Survival Skill at the Comedy Bar

I don't go to comedy bars since i came back last 2010 for my regular vacation. I cannot stand the sound and the noise of the area. (talking about being senior citizen?) no but i am used to the silence that my adopted country is giving every day. 

Anyway, since i just arrive a few days ago for my regular vacation they invited me to go out. hmmmm . Of course its been years and I need to relax. They brought me to this comedy bar in QC and I cannot say no.  

I just try to enjoy and had a great time.

We know that comedy bars are not for people who take their life seriously. You go there to enjoy and laugh. Thats what their purpose.  But if you just want to enjoy a night of loud music, best laugh without being laugh at, you will need these survival skills

1. Never sit in front of the Stage.  Sitting in front of the stage would be a death sentence . It`s a warning, not unless you are in the mood for good laughter, don't hesitate. 
2. Dress well. or i say dress as you are. Don't wear clothes that will not fit you or else you will be a piece of joke for the audience.
3. Be ready and open minded.  It`s not for the faint of heart and for those who take things seriously.  Play your role well when you were caught up on stage.

So are you ready for another try? Not me, I had my fill of the comedy bars.  i need to have a good music and a relaxing night before I go home.

A Walk in the Tsunami Devastated Area

A day after the March 11 anniversary,  i decided to take a walk from our apartment to the nearest supermarket. The weather was nice for walking and I need a little exercise after I felt I don't have anything in mind to write for the newsletter.

BRT Ofunato Station

I went to visit the newly constructed BRT Ofunato station, i checked the schedule of the bus and hope to use it one of these days as I plan to go to Tokyo. I also went to check some new books in a newly opened bookstore before buying some vegetables.

On my way home, I came across a bouquet in an area were there was a dental clinic.  My first move was taking my camera. But i stop thinking that this is a place where somebody lost his or her life during March 11 disaster. No, it is irrespectful to take a picture. Instead I stop offered my prayer and continued walking. 

candle service in Yume Shotengai March 11, 2013

January 2013 Newsletter

For Our Reflection

New Year, New Start

As we start the year we normally have the practice of making a New Year`s resolution. There is just something about the start of the year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between Dec 31 and Jan 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. Yet there is something special that move us to change something within us.

Most of the common New Year`s resolution we make are commitments to quit smoking, to manage our time wisely, and to lose weight. Most Christians would make their New Year`s resolution to pray more, to attend the church regularly and to read the Bible. However, these New Year`s resolution fail just as often as the normal resolutions we have because there is no magical about making a New Year`s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain has no value unless you have a proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity.

So what sort of New Year`s resolution should we make? Here are some suggestions:
1. Pray to the Lord for wisdom in regards to what
resolutions we would have make
2. Pray for strength to fulfill the goals we have set
3. Find somebody who have the same goal and who could
help us and encourage us
4. Don`t become discourage with occasional failures;
instead, allow them to motivate us further.
5. Lastly, rely on God`s strength to fulfill the goals we set.
Happy New Year .

Faith in Action

              Fukushima Round Table for Migrant Support


"Nothing with us without us"
This saying captures the theme of the Fukushima Round Table for Migrant Support which was held last December 28-29 2012, a gathering of foreigners to create a network of support among themselves. This gathering was attended by 170 people of different nationalities, Prof. Yukio Yamaguchi, Japan College of Social Work, explained the aim as follows;

"The Social Inclusion Support Center is utilizing funds from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor to operate the Yorisoi Hotline as an overall consultation service for people who are vulnerable to social exclusion. Among its services, it has established a multilingual 'Helpline for Foreigners'. However, support is not something to be provided only through the phone. It is important to establish networks and links between supporters including migrants themselves who know their own issues the most. On this occasion, so that we can form support networks for residents with non-Japanese cultural background in the three prefectures devastated by the disaster, we decided to open a round table conference to provide opportunity for exchange and mutual learning between fellow supporters including actual migrants from in- and outside the disaster area.
In the future, we hope that we can contribute to the formation of a nationwide network of migrant support organizations, and especially to the creation of a system where migrants can become their own supporters."

The groups were divided according tolanguage in order to discuss about their needs problems at the same time their strength as a group. After which each group were given the chance to present their discussions to the bigger group.


Many things were realized during gathering particularly, on the need to bring to the front the issues the foreigners facing in Japan and the need to create a network among
themselves for support and sharing of information.

Suggestions such as having this kind of meeting once a year was being propose to the body in the hope to strengthen the bond that was started on this meeting. We look forward for more gatherings like this in order to learn from one another on the different issues we are facing as foreigners here in Japan. 

the Filipino participants

Communities Christmas Celebrations

Our hearts were filled with joy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. Each community had their way to welcome Christ. Indeed, we are all blessed. These are the pictures of our celebrations. 

Shirkawa Church

Hirosaki Church

Kesennuma Church

Ishinomaki Church

Ishinomaki Church

Shirakawa Church

Ofunato Church

Sharing the Good News

At the start of this year, there are good news that are worth sharing. Its about the work of we are doing here in the Diocese of Sendai, which was featured in ABS-CBN and Japan Times last January 8, 2013 

Pinoy wives in Japan’s tsunami-hit area find comfort in church

BY BY YUMIKO IIDA AND RYUTA MINAMI, KYODO, ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2012

OFUNATO, Japan – “Diyos ko po.” When the ground shook and buildings trembled that cold afternoon in March 2011, the Tagalog prayer which means “God please help me” were the first words that came instantaneously from Gina Konishi.

The 32-year-old Filipino resident of Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, was with her 2-month-old daughter at a regular health checkup when the magnitude-9.0 earthquake hit northeastern Japan. Along with her 59-year-old Japanese husband Yukio, the three immediately fled by car to higher ground.

She did not see the tsunami waves. She only recalls hearing the rumbling from the collision of moving buildings.

All Konishi had with her at the time was a bag of 20 diapers for her baby. She did not even have the chance to retrieve her passport or driver’s license.

Konishi first came to Japan at age 19 as a dancer, performing at dimly lit clubs across Japan from night until dawn — Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, Yamagata, Fukushima. Drunken patrons would sometimes howl a stream of abuse at her, such as criticizing her for being “good for nothing” or that she was “no good because (she was) Filipino.”

With little time even to sleep, she could no longer bear the harsh working conditions. Around this time, Yukio, a carpenter who she met at the place she worked in Fukushima, came into the picture.

In her eyes, Yukio was a gentle person who was always telling jokes. The two married in 2006 and settled in a small port town in Ofunato where Yukio’s family home is.

Konishi recalled that once when she asked where the church was in the town, she was taken to a chapel-like wedding ceremony hall. Since then, she has given up on going to church.

A few days after the March 11, 2011, earthquake, she gazed down at the town from the hill to where she had evacuated. What she saw was complete havoc — ships and vehicles turned upside down by the massive tsunami, and nothing remained of the Konishis’ home.

In her arms, her baby daughter was laughing. That she and her family escaped unscathed was the one and only relief, Konishi recalled thinking.

In the aftermath of the quake, other foreigners in the area offered their help to Konishi. Among them, Hartatik Sugawara, a 34-year-old Indonesian also married to a Japanese, being aware that it must be difficult for the Konishis to remain at the evacuation shelter with their baby, invited the family to stay at her home instead.

Soon there was also word of church efforts to support foreigners in the disaster-hit areas, such as Mass in Tagalog offered by the Ofunato Catholic church.

Before long, many believers who are foreigners and had been unable to go to church out of consideration for their Japanese families began gathering at such services after the disaster in search of some peace of mind.

Yukie Nogami, a sister of the Rome-headquartered Institute of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is among those involved in the church-related support activities.

The 65-year-old sister, who spent a decade since age 29 in the Philippines running a kindergarten there for the institute and has been supporting foreigners in Nagoya after returning to Japan in 1986, said she moved to Ofunato in October 2011 as she felt the urge to contribute to disaster relief there.

Her mission included helping to clear away the rubble, visiting temporary housing for those who have lost their homes, and, most importantly, creating a facility where people can gather regardless of religion.

At “Jinomori Ikoi no Ie,” one of the programs under way is to assist foreign women, many of whom have lost their jobs as a result of the quake, in obtaining qualifications to become nursing care helpers. In addition to those from Southeast Asia like Konishi, wives of Chinese and South Korean origin also gather at the facility.

For example, Nogami helps the women practice Japanese “hiragana” and “katakana” syllables. Using textbooks with the readings provided alongside Chinese characters, they also attended classes by professional lecturers to learn everything from the basics of nursing care to Japan’s nursing care insurance system.

“Of course I’ve been aware there have been an increasing number of foreign wives here,” said Jocelyn Sumigama, 39, who has lived in Ofunato for the most number of years among the Filipino wives in the area. “(But) our bonding has strengthened further since the quake disaster as we helped each other out and studied together.”

At a senior home for the visually impaired in Ofunato, where 10 of the foreigners were undergoing practical training, Konishi smiled as she tried to encourage one of the residents to eat his meal.

“I like their smiling faces,” Hiroshi Murakami, the senior home’s deputy head, said. “Unlike Japanese (trainees), they will actually say they enjoyed the training.”

Murakami added he felt that the Filipinos had an even greater respect for the elderly than Japanese staff. He was so impressed that he wished they could start work immediately.

With an increasing number of elderly people in the disaster-hit areas needing nursing care, “there’s a shortage of staff in this field,” Murakami said.

“Instead of arranging to have foreign nurses come work in Japan, as the government is promoting, it would have been better to open up opportunities for these women who have blended in well with the local community to play an active role,” he said.

Meanwhile for Konishi, who thought she had lost all her belongings in the tsunami, she was fortunately reunited with a small memento — someone had found in the debris a photo of her, clad in a pink kimono taken on the occasion of her wedding, and delivered it to the city offices.

Her wallet has also been found and returned to her with its contents intact. “Japan is not a bad country after all,” she said.

At night after their baby daughter had gone to sleep, Konishi and her husband discuss their future.

“I’ll build us a big house,” Yukio said. Meanwhile, Konishi’s wish is simple. Just a small but warm home will do.

Yumiko Iida and Ryuta Minami, Kyodo

Update of AOS Activity - Japan

Last Jan 5, I went to visit the port of Nagoya in Kaneshiro.  After my visit  seamen were requesting to go out for shopping. I went back Jan 9 and found 8 seafarers waiting for me at the gate number 9. That day the customs were strict to check the seafarers, checking for the readings of their names, checking for the places they will be visiting and go for shopping, and body check.  It was not a good feeling for me who is watching these things being done to them.

All the crews did not renew their contract in their respective agency, and I think they are all going home until they reach their next port in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi ken Japan. 

But before going home, they wanted to visit a Stella Maris Center. Am happy and felt good to know that they have not forgotten to pray.

First Post for 2013

I stop blogging for a while, making me feel guilty that  i never use the medium to express my thoughts. But i made a resolution to start writing some of my thoughts for the day.  

So here are my thoughts beginning this year

Since January I, 2013,  I decided not to drink. a fete i myself found amusing since i love drinking. But i feel there is not way to celebrate so i just tried to limit my drinking from now on. On doing sports, i will try to do swimming again.  Its been a while since i visited a pool and plunge myself. Love swimming and I know if i am inside the pool, my body will just go with the flow of it.  

I am against professional jealousy especially with the nature of our work, but lets face feel lost after i went to Rome for sometime.  Adjusting to the work here and all the schedules was just difficult for a while. At the same time,  I feel my presence was only good as a helper. I am ready to assume leadership position and I will try to be ready if there is an offer for it after Easter.

My hope for this year, a better me and a happy me.