Little iApps has rolled out a controversial application "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. "Developed for Catholics who frequent the sacrament and those who wish to return." describes their website. 

It aims to provide personalized examination of conscience with password protected profiles, step by step instructions and invites Catholics to "prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance." 

Available for download at iTunes store at $1.99 the developers behind this app declare that, "Our desire is to invite Catholics to engage in their faith through digital technology. Taking to hear Pope Benedict XVI's message from last years' World Communications Address, our goal with this project is to offer a digital application that is truly 'new media at the service of the world'. The app has already aided one man in returning to the sacrament after 20 years. We hope many more will take advantage of this new confession resource." Pope Benedict XVI had emphasized and encouraged Christian presence through digital media. 

The app has been developed under the guidance and help of Reverend Thomas Weinandy from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Reverend Dan Scheidt, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. Little iApps clarifies that this app has been developed after official authorization by Bishop Kevin Rhoades and also that it is not designed to replace going for a confession to an actual priest and confession booth for absolution. 

Although the application may have received blessings by the Catholic church, but Vatican doesn't seem to be thrilled about the idea of "confessing" via iPhone.

Vatican's spokesperson Federico Lombardi told the reporters that "It is essential to understand well the sacrament of penitence requires the personal dialogue between the penitent and the confessor and the absolution by the confessor. This cannot in any way be substituted by a technology application." 

Further adding, "One cannot talk in anyway about a 'confession via iPhone'."

According to CNN, Little iApps has welcomed the warning by the Vatican. Patrick Leinen, co-founder of Little iApps says, "The app we created is supposed to be in the actual confession. This is an aid to confession and in no way, shape or form a replacement."

One can't rule out the fact that slowly and steadily all these smartphone apps, social media and endless internet tools are penetrating into our lives and making us incapable of living a life outside the digital world. We have reached a state where conversation is God has been digitalized and monetized. As Brain Dickerson puts it, "To err is human, to confess is $1.99."


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