Vatican Voices Disapproval for Confession iPhone App

[lacktheknack]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

 

[spartan231490]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

to put it bluntly, if he doesn't believe it,(for that reason) he's an idiot. Just because he doesn't believe in god/the afterlife ect., doesn't mean that others can't, and there is ample evidence in our world that perception is often more powerful than truth.

 

[techercat]

Actually, all the app was meant to do to begin with is to help a person prepare for the Sacrament of Confession. It's roughly equivalent to a sheet of paper that outlines an examination of conscience (what sins did I commit, how serious were they, how many times did I commit them) and the process of the sacrament (what Father So-and-so says, what I am supposed to say at which points). The app doesn't celebrate the sacrament in place of a priest any more than a piece of paper with that information would.

It's supposed to be a refresher for people who have been away from confession for a while, and a tool for helping people make better confessions overall.

From the developers' website (http://www.littleiapps.com/overview.php): "Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent."

So it's not a disapproval from the Vatican, but rather a clarification. What Fr. Lombardi says in no way contradicts what the developers of the app are doing or saying.

 

[Formica Archonis]

Wait a second. Does the app actually claim to administer the sacrament of confession? Or does it just claim to ASSIST? Because no priest in his right mind would okay an app that administers the sacrament - it's likely an excommunicating offense!

Is there a demo of this app so we can see if the Church is banning the app or the media's IMAGE of the app?

 

[lacktheknack]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

to put it bluntly, if he doesn't believe it,(for that reason) he's an idiot. Just because he doesn't believe in god/the afterlife ect., doesn't mean that others can't, and there is ample evidence in our world that perception is often more powerful than truth.

According to the average anti-theist (not an atheist, mind you), all religion should die, so I imagine he'll take less than kindly to that.

(As a Christian, I've learned how to duck and cover from anti-theists. Infuriating, but there's no way to win.)

 

[lacktheknack]

Actually, all the app was meant to do to begin with is to help a person prepare for the Sacrament of Confession. It's roughly equivalent to a sheet of paper that outlines an examination of conscience (what sins did I commit, how serious were they, how many times did I commit them) and the process of the sacrament (what Father So-and-so says, what I am supposed to say at which points). The app doesn't celebrate the sacrament in place of a priest any more than a piece of paper with that information would.

It's supposed to be a refresher for people who have been away from confession for a while, and a tool for helping people make better confessions overall.

From the developers' website (http://www.littleiapps.com/overview.php): "Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent."

So it's not a disapproval from the Vatican, but rather a clarification. What Fr. Lombardi says in no way contradicts what the developers of the app are doing or saying.

Well if THAT'S the case, then this article is pointless. Yay.

 

[spartan231490]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

to put it bluntly, if he doesn't believe it,(for that reason) he's an idiot. Just because he doesn't believe in god/the afterlife ect., doesn't mean that others can't, and there is ample evidence in our world that perception is often more powerful than truth.

According to the average anti-theist (not an atheist, mind you), all religion should die, so I imagine he'll take less than kindly to that.

(As a Christian, I've learned how to duck and cover from anti-theists. Infuriating, but there's no way to win.)

Truth is truth, refusal to accept it is idiotic. "Willingly turning aside from the truth is treason to oneself."

 

[Agayek]

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

Yea, but you're not the target market for the app. The market is for believers, and believers go with the Vatican.

 

[Kadoodle]

I will get this app, and I will troll.

 

[katsumoto03]

That's completely understandable. That said, I would still troll the shit out of that app.

 

[UnkeptBiscuit]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

Yes, but only if you're Catholic. In the Catholic church, anything the Vatican says is equivalent to the word of God.

 

[PunkyMcGee]

According to the average anti-theist (not an atheist, mind you), all religion should die, so I imagine he'll take less than kindly to that.

(As a Christian, I've learned how to duck and cover from anti-theists. Infuriating, but there's no way to win.)

Darn anti-theists giving us levelheaded atheists a bad name. It's much like reasonable Catholics being judged based on the few wackos.

(Well I guess that I'm more of an agnostic in this regard, but whatever)

 

[Formica Archonis]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

Yes, but only if you're Catholic. In the Catholic church, anything the Vatican says is equivalent to the word of God.

Well, not equivalent. That's rather overstating things. The last word? Sure. But making a proclamation ex cathedra isn't something they do every day.

 

[LordWalter]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

to put it bluntly, if he doesn't believe it,(for that reason) he's an idiot. Just because he doesn't believe in god/the afterlife ect., doesn't mean that others can't, and there is ample evidence in our world that perception is often more powerful than truth.

According to the average anti-theist (not an atheist, mind you), all religion should die, so I imagine he'll take less than kindly to that.

(As a Christian, I've learned how to duck and cover from anti-theists. Infuriating, but there's no way to win.)

/amusement. Well that's some fun shorthand for intellectual cowardice. Why critically engage with arguments when we can stick our fingers in our ears and go "LA DA LA DEE LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" ?

 

[Worgen]

i agree with the Vatican on this one. Making confession an app is quite silly. it's a rite of repentance. Making it convenient sorta defeats the whole thing.

the whole thing is rather silly when you think about it, can only confess your crimes when your in a lil box to a representative, odds are the vat is worried that they will lose all that phat tithing money that jesus says they arnt supposed to be taking anyway

 

[PunkyMcGee]

Actually, all the app was meant to do to begin with is to help a person prepare for the Sacrament of Confession. It's roughly equivalent to a sheet of paper that outlines an examination of conscience (what sins did I commit, how serious were they, how many times did I commit them) and the process of the sacrament (what Father So-and-so says, what I am supposed to say at which points). The app doesn't celebrate the sacrament in place of a priest any more than a piece of paper with that information would.

It's supposed to be a refresher for people who have been away from confession for a while, and a tool for helping people make better confessions overall.

From the developers' website (http://www.littleiapps.com/overview.php): "Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent."

So it's not a disapproval from the Vatican, but rather a clarification. What Fr. Lombardi says in no way contradicts what the developers of the app are doing or saying.

Well now that I've read this I fell a bit silly. If this is indeed the case this debate is pointless.

 

[UnkeptBiscuit]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

Yes, but only if you're Catholic. In the Catholic church, anything the Vatican says is equivalent to the word of God.

Well, not equivalent. That's rather overstating things. The last word? Sure. But making a proclamation ex cathedra isn't something they do every day.

Well, not every day of course, but they do claim the right to be the only correct interpretation of the Bible, which, since the Bible is the word of God, roughly translates into the ability to state what is basically the word of God. And since Jesus wasn't around for the iPhone, that gives the Vatican the power to give edicts on what the official Church position on something is.

 

[thom_cat_]

So because the Vatican says it's no replacement, that makes it fact?

That's because in the Catholic Church, a priest has to dispense absolution from your sins and give you a penance in order for it to be a true reconciliation. An iPhone app can't do that. So while this may not actually be meant to take the place of the sacrament of reconciliation, it could confuse many Catholics into thinking it's a valid substitute when it's really not. That's the problem with it.

Only a true Frangulagilist can dispense Silappuputum upon the erignum of the people. An iPhone cannot do that.


It's a silly rite and practice that does nothing whatsoever. The iPhone does just as much good in my opinion.

That's why your not catholic. The fact is, that catholics believe in the rite, and all of it's accompanied rules. Their belief in it, gives the rite power, and they believe in doing it the right way. Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power. I now understand the opposition.

That guy admits to being a vocal anti-thiest, don't expect him to buy "they believe in X".

to put it bluntly, if he doesn't believe it,(for that reason) he's an idiot. Just because he doesn't believe in god/the afterlife ect., doesn't mean that others can't, and there is ample evidence in our world that perception is often more powerful than truth.

According to the average anti-theist (not an atheist, mind you), all religion should die, so I imagine he'll take less than kindly to that.

(As a Christian, I've learned how to duck and cover from anti-theists. Infuriating, but there's no way to win.)

Truth is truth, refusal to accept it is idiotic. "Willingly turning aside from the truth is treason to oneself."

I'm confused... what "truths" are you talking about?
also I thought you said truths were irrelevent... "Truth is irrelevant when it is unknowable, therefore the perception is all that holds power."
And there's plenty of reasons to turn away from God, the fact that there is no evidence to support it is one, and the fact that there is evidence to several theories that go against a lot of what some religions say is another.
Also, when did someone have to tell you why they don't believe? I don't have to justify why I don't believe in fairies or unicorns. You should be the one justifying why you believe in something without evidence. (Whoo! Antitheism!)

 

[Cakes]

Soon there will be apps for every religious function. Eucharist, meditation, circumcision...what an age we live in.

 

[Covarr]

I get the impression that the Vatican has misunderstood the point of this app. I'm sure they will retract their statement if they are informed that it is not meant as a replacement, but a helper, for the examination of conscience portion rather than the confession itself.

P.S. Thanks