Cell Phone App Aids Confession

An app developed for the iPhone, "Confession: A Roman Catholic App," is now available and the Catholic Church doesn't think it's such a bad idea. But some Catholic officials don't like the way it's being characterized in the media.

An Indiana developer came up with the app that prepares users for the actual ritual of confession. By scrolling through the Ten Commandments, users can identify their sins and browse several ways to atone for them.

"This application was never designed as a substitute for Confession," said Catholic League President Bill Donohue.  "On the contrary, it makes it clear that only absolution by a priest in the confessional constitutes the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Taking exception

Donohue is taking exception to some headline writers, who have found phrases like "Need Forgiveness? There's An app For That" irresistible. He says, while the stories may be accurate, the headlines are misleading.

"Patrick Leinen, the developer of Little iApps, cannot be faulted for the way some are characterizing this program," Donohue said.

The application guides Catholics through an examination of conscience, steering them through a series of questions that tap into issues addressed by the Ten Commandments. It received an imprimatur from Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

It is not, says Donohue, a confession short-cut, and the church is not sanctioning the use of a cell phone in confession.

Church receives no money

It costs $1.99 to download the app, but Donohue says that goes to the developer who created it. The church, he says, is not receiving any financial compensation, despite what some sources are writing.

"The best we can say about those pitching these bogus claims is that they are clueless," Donohue said. "The worst we can say is that they might benefit from purchasing the app and putting it to good use.

The app is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users.