Fr Lombardi on confession and the iphone

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi has issued clarification on the church's position on receiving the sacrament of penance. His remarks come after the launch of an iphone application that helps Catholics prepare for Confession.

Father Lombardi says, it is essential to understand that the sacrament of penance requires a personal dialogue between the penitent and the confessor in order for absolution to be given.

This he says, cannot be replaced by any computer application such as the iPhone.

Father Lombardi goes on to say that, in a world in which many people use computer support for reading and reflection, digital technology can be useful in the preparation for confession.

But this technology he adds, is by no means a substitute for the sacrament.