An interesting article appeared on AP and was also telecast on Daybreak which talked about this new app that has been introduced in the market by iPhone. This application allows Catholics to basically prepare for confession using their mobile phones and is available for iPhone as well as iPad.
The name of this app is “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” but in no way, it substitutes your visit to the priest for the actual confession.
How this app works is that it takes you through a series of many questions which assist you in determining what sin(s) you have committed. Once that is determined, the user is then guided through repentance. In the end, the user is provided with some sample wording which he/ she can use at the time of actual visit to the priest. You will then be able to confess properly and your sins will be absolved. Again what is being reiterated is that an actual visit is a must.
LittleiApps created this app and the US Catholic Church sanctioned it too. The purpose of this app was never to replace an actual confession, but still the Vatican has developed a dislike for such a thing. Father Lombardi, Vatican spokesperson said in a statement to the media that confessions via iPhone are just not apt. A confession mandatorily requires both the priest and the penitent to be present. No IT application can substitute this.
All the Twitter accounts and Facebook page of Vatican terms this app as “forbidden fruit”.
