Confession app for iPhone

As my regular reader will know, I try to set the appropriate religious tone on a Sunday, and today is no exception.

The Catholic Church has released a confession app for the iPhone.

Now be honest. You think I'm taking the piss and that I photoshopped the picture on the left, don't you?

Well, you're wrong. This - unbelievably - is real!

In his message for the 2011 World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI said it's not enough to just "proclaim the Gospel through the new media," but one must also "witness consistently." The developers of "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch think their product helps people do both.

The app is designed to help people to a better confession. "For Catholics who go to confession regularly, it gives the user information. They enter their name, age, their sex, their vocation and their last confession date, and it generates an examination of conscience based on that information."

"It's also for people who've been away from the church and want the opportunity to go to confession. You go to the examination of conscience and it literally walks you through, step by step, your confessions as you're in the confessional."

Well, how cool is that! All we need now is a 'te absolvo' button!

And if you still think I'm making this up, then you can read all about it on the Catholic News Service by clicking here.

The Lord indeed does move in mysterious ways....