Catholics in need of confessing their sins can now use an app to help them to repent.
The Catholic App has been nicknamed 'Sinder' by the media in a nod to dating app Tinder and will 'match' users with the nearest mass and confession services.
Scottish technology company Musemantik worked with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland to develop the technology.
Photo: AFP
The app's founder Dr Maciej Zurawski told Morning Report that apps are the easiest way of accessing information these days.
"You would like to go to confession and instead of having to search websites, you can find something that is near you now, basically something that is nearby for where you are and also as soon as possible, basically."
The app will also provide weekly passages from the bible and the latest diocese news, with the aim to make it accessible and fun to use, Dr Zurawski said.
Dr Zurawski was aware of the app's 'Sinder' nickname. "People think it is a catchy name, but it is not about sinning, it is about being spiritual and well and healthy so we think the Catholic App is a better working name."
Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh unveiled the new app on a visit to the Vatican in Rome, in a ceremony attended by Monsignor Dario Vigano, Prefect of the Vatican's newly created Secretariat for Communication.
"This is a little bit of smart technology that could make a big impact on how the Catholic Church brings the mercy of God and the joy of the Gospel to our contemporary world," he said
The Catholic Church in Scotland said the app was a "personal thank you to Pope Francis" in the Church's Jubilee Year of Mercy.
- RNZ / BBC
