The Witness of Women

by Gunther Simmermacher · July 29, 2024

Dear Reader, August is Women’s Month in South Africa, and in this issue we mark it in special ways.

Our cover star is Sr Dominica Mkhize FSF, the associate secretary-general of the bishops’ conference at its Pretoria headquarters. Sr Dominica’s story is remarkable, and her vocation story, which relates to her beloved grandmother, is profoundly moving.

Also remarkable: For the past two decades, the bishops of Southern Africa have been conscious of filling at least one of the two top positions in their general secretariat with women.

We also feature Victoria Giuricich, a Johannesburg model who has Down syndrome. Victoria’s story is evidence that a disability need not be an insurmountable obstacle to fulfilment.

Indeed, much like the Durban surfer Ricardo Mateus, who featured in our March issue, Victoria teaches us that the word “handicap” is only relative.

The story of the mother of a transgendered child on page 14 may raise some eyebrows, or perhaps even irate objections to “gender ideology” or disdainful non-sequiturs about bicycles that “identify” as motorbikes. Other readers will no doubt appreciate the article.

But what is at issue here is not the debate about gender and biological sex — that has only just begun — but to highlight a Catholic mother’s struggle with a reality which she had not anticipated when she gave birth to a healthy boy. Lisl’s story challenges us to reflect on what our Christian response might be if we were (or, indeed, are) faced with a family member whose gender identity does not conform to our worldview. And if that response is lacking in love, would it be truly Christian?

On page 24 we are introduced to three great women from different ages in the Church’s history who still have the power to change our lives today — even to guide us out of debilitating anxiety, with God’s help. Sometimes we need a reminder that we are never alone, and the wisdom of those who came before us may serve as an inspiration.

In our “Your Questions Answered” feature, we look at a query about the possibility of making a confession via Zoom or other Internet facilities. At present, the Church makes no provision for that — and for good reason, as our article explains.

While many priests probably would hear a confession over Zoom or phone if extreme circumstances demand it, we must tread carefully in incorporating new technology in our sacramental life. Following the Mass on a missal app on your phone is fine, but the interpersonal dimension and the integrity of the sacraments must be safeguarded.

We saw in April how absurd technology can become. A popular apologetics website introduced an artificial intelligence (or AI) chatbot under the guise of “Father Justin” to answer questions posed by visitors. “Father Justin” offered some grotesque answers, like permitting the use of energy drinks in the sacrament of baptism, and even attempted to give absolution in a “confession”.

In the event, “Father Justin” was promptly defrocked and turned into plain “Justin”, the lay bot. The episode caused much mirth, but it was also a serious reminder that we ought to treat AI technology with great care, especially when it intersects with our faith.

To that end, the article on Catholic AI chatbots on page 16 will surely help many Catholics in search of answers about their faith. But as the founder of one Catholic-based AI bot emphasises, artificial intelligence cannot replace human intelligence, only aid it.

Our Saint of the Month is St Helena, whose story is tied intimately to the Holy Land, where she oversaw the financing of many holy shrines. At present, the Holy Land is empty of pilgrims, to the great economic suffering of the Christians there. Even during carnage in Gaza, pilgrims are safe in the Holy Land. Please join us in praying that they will return there soon, and for a sustainable peace in the land of Christ.

Thank you for reading The Southern Cross, and please tell your friends about your monthly Catholic magazine.

God bless,
Günther Simmermacher
(Editor)