It was 2007 when the Vatican launched its very own YouTube feed. Two years later, it created a Facebook application that lets users send virtual postcards featuring the pontiff. In fact, the Vatican has endorsed an iPhone prayer app as early as December of 2008. So it should not be surprising anymore to learn that the Catholic Church has yesterday (08 February 2011) ‘blessed’, by formally approving, an iPhone app that helps guide worshippers through confession.
But the world is reacting otherwise.
“The Confession program has gone on sale through iTunes for £1.19 ($1.99). Described as "the perfect aid for every penitent", it offers users tips and guidelines to help them with the sacrament. The app takes users through the sacrament - in which Catholics admit their wrongdoings - and allows them to keep track of their sins. It also allows them to examine their conscience based on personalized factors such as age, sex and marital status - but it is not intended to replace traditional confession entirely. Instead, it encourages users to understand their actions and then visit their priest for absolution.” (Click here for the complete article)
Sure, some atheists are already having loads of fun scorning at, mocking or deriding this development. Well, people are entitled to their own beliefs. Some Catholics themselves may even think that the Catholic Church has yet again proved its sly skills and is just seeking trouble from the public. (Click here to see a thread and brace yourself for some intense response on the app’s creation and approval)
But some find that it is indeed comforting to know that even the most rigid and orthodox institution the world has produced is learning and responding to ICT. While the Catholic Church may be lagging behind on several social and political issues, some appreciate its effort in making concrete and responsive attempts at modernizing its policies regarding organizational communications and its methods to reach out through technology.
Really, ICT has spawned many interesting things.
- Phebean Belle A. Ramos, entry #12
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