Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presided over the Eucharistic Celebration at the Retreat Center of the St. Paul of Chartres Sisters on the third day of the 14th Gathering of Theology Seminaries in the Visayas (GTSV).
Hosted by the St. Joseph Regional Seminary (SJRS) of the Archdiocese of Jaro, the biennial gathering brings together theology seminarians from four major seminaries across the Visayas: SJRS in Jaro, Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu, St. John the Evangelist School of Theology in Palo, and Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium in Capiz.
In his homily, Archbishop Abet reminded the seminarians that the goal of formation is not simply to become priests, but to become more like Christ.
Reflecting on the challenges future priests will encounter in a rapidly changing world shaped by Artificial Intelligence, he offered three invitations inspired by Mary: protect the silence, bring what AI cannot bring, and keep the fire burning.
While AI can provide information and perform tasks, the Archbishop emphasized that it cannot replace the human and sacramental presence of a priest—one who accompanies, listens, celebrates the sacraments, and brings Christ to people.
He also expressed his gratitude to the seminary formators, encouraging them to form future priests not only through their teaching but, more importantly, through the witness of their own lives.
He concluded with a simple reminder for the seminarians: “Priestly life is like a game of tennis: the one who serves well seldom loses.”