Catholicism

Catholicism

Religion Goes High-Tech: New iPhone App to Help Catholics Through Confession

First the pope gives the go-ahead on Catholics using Facebook, now the Catholic Church has approved an iPhone and iPad app aimed at helping users through the confession process.

First the pope gives the go-ahead on Catholics using Facebook, now the Catholic Church has approved an iPhone and iPad app aimed at helping users through the confession process.

Called Confession: A Roman Catholic App ($2), the app itself won't replace a visit with a priest, but it will help you prepare by walking you through your sins and what to say to the priest, examining your conscience, and helping you relearn the Ten Commandments, and it even supports multiple users.

It's intended for Catholics who have skipped out on confession for a period of time and who find it hard to get back into the swing of things. What do you think about the Confession app? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

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The Pope OKs Facebook Use For Catholics

Those of us who have experienced the Catholic guilt have seen it come on at unexpected times (I get it if I even think about short-changing a waiter on a tip), but I must say I've never experienced it while using Facebook.

Those of us who have experienced the Catholic guilt have seen it come on at unexpected times (I get it if I even think about short-changing a waiter on a tip), but I must say I've never experienced it while using Facebook. If you have, though, today is your lucky day because Pope Benedict XVI has given social networking his blessing. Officially, he said:

"I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible."

Sadly, the pope (unlike Queen Elizabeth) didn't join Facebook, but gave his blessing to millions of Catholics. Of course, it wouldn't be a dictum from the pope without some guidelines. He encourages users to be open and honest with their use, and to not confuse online friendships with lasting, in-person relationships.

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Did You Adhere to Religious Guidelines in Naming Your Baby?

The pope doesn't like my name; should my parents have cared?

The pope doesn't like my name; should my parents have cared? In second grade, I was pulled out of (but later allowed back in) the First Communion practice line when the teachers realized that I wasn't named after a saint. I had to laugh when I saw my moniker in the list of those to avoid in a recent Reuters report.

It seems that the pope upset some Italian parents and fed the press when he said that every Catholic child should be given a Christian name after a baptism ceremony at the Vatican this past weekend. He said it is "an unequivocal sign that the Holy Spirit gives a rebirth to people in the womb of the Church." Modern parents have gotten quite creative in naming their children; how important do you think it is to adhere to religious rules?

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Vatican Says Female Anglican Bishops Reveal a Divine Divide

The Roman Catholic Church has signaled the start of Schism 2.0 (at least), thanks to the Church of England's decision to allow women bishops in its Church.

The Roman Catholic Church has signaled the start of Schism 2.0 (at least), thanks to the Church of England's decision to allow women bishops in its Church. As for its own clergy, the Vatican has promised automatic excommunication for any Catholic bishop who attempts to ordain a woman as a priest.

The Catholic cardinal in charge of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity said:

"Such a decision is a break with apostolic tradition maintained in all of the Churches in the first millennium, and is therefore a further obstacle for reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England."

The cardinal warned that the Church of England's decision would have a long-term impact on the previously fruitful interfaith dialogue.

Does the Catholic Church's belief that since Christ chose only men as his apostles, only men can be priests represent an irreconcilable difference between Catholics and Anglicans? What would be gained by a healthy dialogue between the two Christian churches that separated during the 16th century?