Vatican: Catholics cannot confess via iPhone
VATICAN CITY — Catholics cannot confess via iPhone and technology is not a substitute for being present when admitting sins to a priest, the Vatican spokesman said on Wednesday.
The statement by Father Federico Lombardi follows the launch of an iPhone application aimed at helping Catholics through confession sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the United States.
"One cannot speak in any way of confessing via iPhone," Lombardi said on Wednesday, adding that confession required the presence of the penitent and the priest.For the rest of the article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41491844/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/?gt1=43001I saw this on the news, this morning, it is meant only as an aid in examine one's conscience. As an aid, I personally think its a good idea. I remember being in one Orthodox parish where the priest confessed people via the phone, letters and notes sent into the Altar. I was once in the position of passing on one of those messages and then taking the "blessing" back to the person and being told by the priest to burn the note in the censer. Personally, I had difficulty with that.
