The news outlets have been abuzz with reports about a new application for the iPhone titled Confession: A Roman Catholic App developed by a South Bend, Indiana publisher, Little iApps, LLC.
I have not seen this application, nor have I talked to anyone who has seen it or used it. One thing I know for sure, it cannot be a substitute for celebration of the Sacrament of Penance in the physical presence of a priest with faculties to absolve.
Patrick Leinen, a developer and cofounder of Little iApps, is reported by the Catholic News Agency (see link below) to have said that the application is to give cradle Catholics a guide to confession and a personalized examination of conscience based upon the user’s age, vocation and sex. It is reported that Little iApps were appropriately concerned that this application were in “communion with the Church” and “in support of our lifestyles” as Catholics. Two priests, Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, the executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices, and Fr. Dan Scheidt, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. The application is reported to have been submitted to the local ordinary, Bishop Kevin, C. Rhodes of Fort Wayne-South Bend for an imprimatur and the nihil obstat. I am uncertain whether they have been granted.
As far as I am concerned, if this application leads more people back to the confessional, then it is a wonderful thing, and a good use of technology in service of the Gospel.
Here are the sources of the information cited above:
Also: Catholic News Service.
4 Responses to iPhone Confessions?