Catholic Church in China. AI in Schools. Rising Food Bank Struggles.
In this episode, editor Mickey Conlon is joined by associate editor Quinton Amundson and reporter Luke Mandato. With the team returning after the Easter break, the three dive into the complex situation of the Catholic Church in China, marking 80 years since its establishment. Amundson shares his conversation with a critic of the Vatican-China agreement while discussing the case of Jimmy Lai and the broader hostility faced by the Church. The hosts weigh whether the criticism of the Holy See’s quiet diplomacy is valid and explore the provocative suggestion from Nina Shea that the Church in China may need to become an underground Church. Mandato then reports on the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education’s upcoming annual conference aimed at helping parents navigate the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in schools, sparking a broader discussion about society’s “hear no evil, see no evil” approach to developing technology. Amundson follows with insights from recent reports on Canada’s food banks, revealing how skyrocketing grocery costs are straining both the organizations and the growing number of people turning to them for help. Conversations close with reflections on how the fragile Mideast ceasefire continues to drive up fuel prices and further impact everyday costs for Canadian families.
Read these related stories from catholicregister.org:
- Food insecurity worsening nationwide - Situation, 'quite frankly, is dire'
- Education conference tackles AI for parents - With artificial intelligence increasingly shaping how Catholic students are taught, Ontario parents are being called to learn about the changes their children face in our digital age.
- 80 years of Chinese Catholicism - Yet where does Church stand?
About the Hosts:
Mickey Conlon: Is the Editor of The Catholic Register and has been a reporter and columnist for the Register.
Luke Mandato: Is a reporter for The Catholic Register.
Quinton Amundson: Quinton is Associate Editor at The Catholic Register.
