Theology in the News

The news of the the Catholic Church approving an iPhone app that helps guide worshippers through confession, has gone viral. I mean it’s everywhere, from mainstream news outlets to Catholic media.

One word of technical caution however, because that’s what I’m like.

Catholic bloggers are at pains to emphasise that this App is obviously NOT a substitute for sacramental confession, but a preparation for confession, through an examination of conscience.

Also, the “Catholic Church” has not officially approved the app, however, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, of the Diocese of Fort Wayne in Indiana, has given it his imprimatur.

I will say though, the most influential Catholic Blogger – Fr.Z – has extensively reviewed the App, and surprisingly, overall, he was quite positive, even given the two “major flaws” and he concludes:

All in all, it is useful.

But there are flaws.

In a next version, I think the very first thing that the user should see is a message that this is NOT a substitute for confession.  This is only a tool to help make a good confession.

They must must must adjust this so that people are informed that they must must must confess sins in kind (the sort of sin) and number (how many times).  This is a deep flaw in this app.

There is no indication in the app about a distinction of venial and mortal sins.  I guess you can’t include everything.  But maybe in a future version they can add a section, along with the Prayers section, which discusses more in depth what this sacrament is.  Perhaps they could include, for example, the section from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about the sacrament.

The app is good, but it needs some additions in order to be very good.

….read all

So there you go, you are armed with all the facts.

Posted by Stuart James