Matthew Harvey Sanders, a 43-year-old Torontonian, expressed his admiration for ChatGPT as a solution to a lifelong challenge he faced. In the Vatican’s Pontifical Oriental Institute library, Sanders, dressed in clerical black, is spearheading the development of Magisterium AI, a Catholic-focused artificial intelligence platform. This platform is transforming extensive Catholic written records, including councils, papal encyclicals, and statistical yearbooks, into an innovative AI system.
Sanders, who was baptized Anglican, raised Evangelical, and converted to Catholicism, recognized a gap in accessing the church’s intellectual tradition. With a background in technology consulting, he founded Magisterium with the support of private Catholic donors. Unlike general-purpose AI systems, Magisterium is meticulously trained on primary Catholic sources to reduce errors and provide accurate responses with direct citations.
Although the Vatican has not officially endorsed the platform, Sanders received encouragement from Pope Leo XIV on the innovative use of technology in Catholicism. Magisterium has gained popularity worldwide, particularly among professionals and lay Catholics seeking guidance on moral dilemmas and theological questions.
Sanders emphasizes that Magisterium serves as a reference tool and not a replacement for clergy or spiritual guidance. With a user base predominantly male and Gen Z, the platform addresses a range of personal struggles, including questions on sexuality and moral behavior. The platform aims to bridge the gap between the church’s intellectual tradition and modern technology, fostering greater engagement and accountability within the Catholic community.
Sanders envisions expanding Magisterium to digitize the Catholic Church’s historical data, enabling deeper insights into trends and practices across dioceses. The platform’s goal is to empower users with knowledge and understanding, promoting a stronger connection to the church’s teachings and values.