By Annie Low
MIRI, Sarawak – Bishop Richard Ng of Miri, Malaysia, warned against excessive reliance on technology and artificial intelligence, saying that only Christ can offer salvation, during a seminar and Mass marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi on Oct 3.
Around 70 Catholics attended the half-day event organized by the Creation Justice Ministry of St Joseph’s Parish in Miri, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo island. The gathering focused on the spirituality of St Francis, care for creation, and concern for the poor.
The seminar, held at St Francis Chapel, carried the theme “Hear the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor,” drawn from Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’.
Fr Jack Nayak, CFM, head of the parish’s Creation Justice Ministry, opened the seminar with a prayer and called on participants to recognize their responsibility to care for creation.
He said that, as stewards of God’s creation, people could make a difference through their actions, following the example of St Francis, who lived in harmony with creation and regarded all creatures as brothers and sisters.
Sr Marian Jimos, SSFS, from Bintulu, spoke about St Francis’ embrace of poverty and simplicity after his spiritual conversion in Assisi, Italy. She highlighted his devotion to Christ, reverence for priests, reception of the stigmata, and introduction of the Christmas nativity scene to help people contemplate the humble birth of Jesus.
Sr Rose Ting, SSFS, from Marudi, discussed the saint’s spirituality, emphasizing his commitment to living the Gospel through humility, poverty, love for creation and the poor, and trust in divine providence.
She also recalled St Francis’ encounter with a Muslim sultan during the Crusades, when the saint traveled unarmed with a fellow friar to meet the ruler, who received them with hospitality.
Following the talks, participants divided into small groups to reflect on how they could live in greater harmony with creation, promote ecological justice, follow the example of St Francis, and become peacemakers in their families, communities, and workplaces.
Representatives shared their reflections with the wider gathering, encouraging participants to deepen their relationship with God by caring for creation.
Bishop Ng presided over the closing Mass commemorating St Francis, concelebrated by Fr Peter Hwang.
In his homily, Bishop Ng emphasized the order and interdependence of creation, saying that the natural world was created by God to serve and sustain life.
He cautioned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence and technology, warning that they could become substitutes for genuine faith.
“St Google cannot save us, only Christ is able to save us,” he said.
Referring to the Gospel account of Jesus sending out 72 disciples, Bishop Ng said Christians were called to become missionary disciples, bringing the faith to others. He urged the faithful to deepen their efforts to inform and form people in the Diocese of Miri.
At the end of the seminar, some participants visited an exhibition promoting vocations to the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS), organized by the two religious sisters who served as speakers. – Radio Veritas Asia
