Singapore Catholic Hackathon Brings 80 Participants Together to Develop Digital Solutions for Church

The Archdiocese of Singapore organized its first Catholic hackathon, FIAT, from October 9 to 11, 2026, bringing together approximately 80 Catholics aged 17 to 61. The event aimed to develop digital solutions addressing pastoral needs identified by four archdiocesan organizations. Organized by the Archdiocese’s Digital Church Office, the three-day hackathon featured 14 teams working on challenges presented by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools, Catholic Foundation, Office for Catechesis, and Office for the New Evangelization.

At a Mass on October 11, Fr. Terence Kesavan, spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Information Technology Office, addressed participants, reflecting on technology’s potential to unite or divide people. He drew parallels between the Church’s historical response to change, such as Pope St. John XXIII convening the Second Vatican Council in 1962, and the current need to engage with emerging technologies. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools, including online Masses and catechesis, despite earlier resistance.

Fr. Kesavan referenced Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses artificial intelligence and its ethical implications. He encouraged Catholics to use technology responsibly while safeguarding human dignity. “It is not the medium that is the problem; it is the content,” he said. He acknowledged that many priests may be unfamiliar with emerging technologies and urged lay Catholics to share their professional expertise and collaborate with clergy to meet the Church’s pastoral needs.

“You are the Church,” he told participants. “You are the ones that I hope will bring about this change.” One project developed during the hackathon was ECHO, a proposed gamified platform designed to help new catechists through structured training. The initiative reflects the Church’s ongoing effort to integrate modern tools into its mission of evangelization and pastoral care.

The hackathon highlights the Catholic Church’s commitment to adapting to contemporary challenges while remaining rooted in its spiritual mission. By fostering collaboration between lay Catholics and clergy, the event underscores the importance of innovation in serving the faithful. As the Church continues to navigate the digital age, such initiatives demonstrate a willingness to embrace change in pursuit of greater outreach and engagement.

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