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Devout Catholics and Apple devotees can now conduct their sacraments on the move, thanks to a new iPhone app designed to make confessions a little more convenient.
"Confession: A Roman Catholic App" markets itself as "the perfect aid for every penitent." The app provides a step-by-step guide to the confession process and offers a so-called "personalized examination of conscience for each user," based on a person's age, gender and vocation.
"Confession," which has already received an endorsement from church authorities in the United States, was developed with the help of the Rev. Thomas Weinandy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Rev. Dan Scheidt from Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Indiana.
Despite its endorsements, "Confession" isn't designed to completely replace real confessions. Churchgoers still have to actually sit down with a priest in order to receive absolution for their sins, but developer Patrick Leinen says the new tool can provide Catholic multitaskers with a unique way to exercise their religion.
"Our desire is to invite Catholics to engage in their faith through digital technology," said Leinen, who is with the development firm Little iApps.
The app allows you to pick a commandment and tick off all your sins, keeping a running tally to bring into the confessional with you - a sort of anti-task list, if you will. Can't find your particular misstep? No problem. You're able to add your own customized dastardly deeds, filling in those gaps the app's authors didn't think anyone would fill.
Near absolution for just $1.99?