CBCP: Confession can't be done through phone apps

MANILA, Philippines - Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Media Office director Monsignor Pedro Quitorio III yesterday said that while confessions via a new application for iPhones would help raise awareness about confession, it cannot replace the face-to-face meeting between a penitent and the priest.

Quitorio said that the new application is not an alternative to confession because it prevents the penitent from looking at his or her confessor.

“From the very beginning, the nature of the sacrament should be a person-to-person dialogue between the penitent and the priest…Although it was not pronounced in the Canon Law, in year 2003 the Vatican issued a document barring electronic means of confession,” Quitorio said.

He also explained that in the sacrament of confession, the priest acts both as a judge and a healer. There is also a seal of confession and this should not be compromised.

“Confession really cannot be done through applications, it should really be done by a priest because how can you be absolved (of your sins) if you are not a priest,” Quitorio said.

He also believed the news reports about the latest iPhone application might have been misunderstood by other people because its purpose was to help in the preparation of the conscience, to prepare the penitent, and to guide the penitent during the sacrament and prayers.

When asked if these applications should be removed, Quitorio said it would not be necessary for as long as the developer would agree to and follow the guidelines of the Vatican.

Besides, the CBCP official added, the issue would give the Catholic Church an opportunity to talk about confession.

It was earlier reported that the new application is the first program for the Apple devices created by a South Bend, Indiana-based company called “Little iApps” and would sell for $1.99 on iTunes.

The app guides the faithful on their path to confession by checking whether their behavior conforms to the rules of the Scriptures.

The developer, Patrick Leinen, said the application was designed to be used in the confessional and was intended “for those who frequent the sacrament and those who wish to return.”