Described as the “perfect aid for every penitent” an application has been developed to encourage Catholics to admit their wrongdoings.
Developed by Little iApps, Confession has gone on sale this week. It follows Pope Benedict XVI urging Christians to embrace digital communication. In his World Communications address earlier this year, he said, “I invite people to make good use of their presence in the digital world.”
The app offers users tips and guidelines, but is not intended to replace traditional confession completely. It is intended to allow users to examine their conscience based on their personal information, which is stored in the application and password protected.
Users are taken through the sacrament, and the app allows them to keep a track of their sins. However it is to be used as a prompt to visit a priest for absolution following its use.
The developers of the application said that it was made with the assistance of several priests, and given the Church’s blessing by Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Indiana.
Senior Church officials in both the UK and US have announced their approval of the application for iPhones and iPads, and it is thought to be the first time that they have agreed with a mobile app.