Exploring how technology can support connection and accompaniment in the life of the Church
March 25, 2026 – Today, the Diocese of Bridgeport is launching a new pilot initiative to explore how emerging technologies—especially artificial intelligence—can help facilitate more personal and meaningful connection within the life of the Church.
In partnership with Givzey, the Diocese is introducing “Maria,” an AI-supported digital assistant who will begin reaching out to a pilot group of donors through email and text starting March 25. Maria is designed to communicate in a thoughtful and responsive way, helping to strengthen relationships and support ongoing engagement in the mission of the Church.
“Technology, when used wisely, becomes a tool of evangelization. Today, our mission field includes the digital world and artificial intelligence. We are piloting an AI Virtual Engagement Officer, Maria, to help us discern how technology may support deeper connection and accompaniment,” says Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
As the early and widespread adoption of ChatGPT, Claude, MS’s CoPilot and other AI systems have shown, these AI tools can be very useful, approachable and intuitive in helping people solve problems, acquire knowledge and expedite a wide variety of tasks. The Diocese hopes that Maria will also prove to be useful a useful resource for the faithful of the Diocese and others.
This initiative reflects a broader commitment to improve our service to members of the Diocese, utilizing emerging technology and appropriate tools to accomplish that.
Maria is part of a careful exploration of how technology can support, but never replace, the human encounter at the heart of the Church’s mission.
Click here to learn more about the Maria AI Pilot and how it works.
