Simmermacher – The Southern Cross https://www.scross.co.za Southern Africa's Catholic Magazine Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:03:13 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Of AI, Bees and Farewells https://www.scross.co.za/2026/07/of-ai-bees-and-farewells/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 03:38:37 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=88175 Dear Reader, Artificial Intelligence is one of the big subjects of our time — also in the Church. Pope Leo […]

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]]> What was the Vatican before St Peter’s death? https://www.scross.co.za/2026/06/what-was-the-vatican-before-st-peters-death/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:12:09 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=87467 Question: What was on the land of the modern Vatican before the construction of St Peter’s Basilica? Answer: Long before […]

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]]> Shrines around the World: Our Lady of Montserrat https://www.scross.co.za/2026/06/shrines-around-the-world-our-lady-of-montserrat-spain/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:13:59 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=87111 On June 10 2026, during his visit to Spain, Pope Leo XIV placed his pontificate under the protection of Our […]

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]]> Vocations and Easter https://www.scross.co.za/2026/04/vocations-and-easter/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:37:39 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=84843 Dear Reader, Every year, vocations Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Easter (this year on April 26) as […]

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]]> St Patrick: From Slave to Apostle https://www.scross.co.za/2026/03/st-patrick-from-slave-to-apostle/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:22:39 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=84664 On March 17, much of the world turns green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Günther Simmermacher looks at the life […]

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]]> New Cape Town Archbishop Calls For Unity and Prophetic Courage https://www.scross.co.za/2026/03/new-cape-town-archbishop-calls-for-unity-and-prophetic-courage/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 11:26:36 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=84643 Newly-installed Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka of Cape Town has pledged to serve the people of the archdiocese with humility, openness and […]

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]]> St Frances of Rome: The Reluctant Wife who Became a Saint https://www.scross.co.za/2026/03/st-frances-of-rome-the-reluctant-wife-who-became-a-saint/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:17:37 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=81644 When 13-year-old Frances of Rome was told to get married, she thought God called her to be a nun. But […]

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]]> Book Review: That They May Have Life edited by Fr Larry Kaufmann CSsR https://www.scross.co.za/2026/02/book-review-that-they-may-have-life-edited-by-fr-larry-kaufmann-cssr/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:58:03 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=84403 Reviewed by Günther Simmermacher THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, edited by Fr Larry Kaufmann CSsR. Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, Merrivale (2025). 64pp In the 18th […]

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]]> Caring for Our Mental Health as Church https://www.scross.co.za/2026/02/caring-for-our-mental-health-as-church/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:36:44 +0000 https://www.scross.co.za/?p=84286 Deacon Ed Shoener’s ministry is centred around serving those with mental health issues — and encouraging parishes to share in […]

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