Sinning Catholic? There's an App for That

...but you still have to go to a priest if you want absolution

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2011 7:29 AM CST

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Sinning Catholic? There's an App for That — A priest checks his smartphone as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in front of the Santiago de Compostela cathedral, on November 6, 2010 during a two-day visit in Spain. (Getty Images)

Have something you need to confess? There’s an app for that. "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" has actually been sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the US, Reuters reports. The app will walk you through the process as well as offer you a “personalized examination of conscience,” according to the company that created it. Little iApps made the app with the help of two priests, and an Indiana bishop officially gave Catholics the OK to use it.

"Our desire is to invite Catholics to engage in their faith through digital technology," says one creator, but the company adds that the $1.99 app doesn’t actually replace confessing to a priest—Catholics must still do that for absolution. Rather, it’s designed to aid Catholics through the sacrament, and has already helped one man return to confession after 20 years. The company says it was inspired by the pope’s message last year discussing the importance of a Christian digital presence. Click for more examples of digital Catholicism.
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