"Computer Confession" irks German Catholic Church

----- Begin NetScrap(TM) -----

"Computer Confession" irks German Catholic Church


Thought you guys might get a kick out of this tidbit:

"Computer Confession" irks German Catholic Church

BONN, Germany - A new software program that offers shy cybersinners
the chance to confess to their own computers drew a rebuke on Friday
from Germany's Roman Catholic Church, which was clearly not amused by
the novel disc. 

"This does not conform to the Catholic understanding of confession," a
spokeswoman for the German Conference of Bishops said. "You cannot
have sins forgiven by the push of a button." 

The "Confession by Computer" disc, marketed by the Cologne-based
Lazarus Society, lets users select their shortcomings from a list of
200 failings that can be customized for especially original sinners. 

"As soon as the sin is selected on the basis of the Ten Commandments,
the computer searches out an appropriate penance," the disc's
promotional literature says. 

It displays on screen or reads out audibly the words to the prayers
"Our Father" and "Hail Mary," then suggests how to get in touch with
priests, ministers or a pastor on the Internet. 

The "Online with Jesus" disc, dreamed up by a Duesseldorf programmer
and developed with the help of theologians, also offers more than 50
prayers, the text of the rosary, the order of the Catholic mass and a
Protestant church service. 

"The sermon, written specially for this disc, can be read or listened
to," it added. 

Lazarus, which describes itself as an ecumenical humanitarian 
organization, is selling the discs for 78 marks ($52), 4 marks of
which will go to charity. 

It said the disc is no replacement for personal encounters in the
confessional, but this has not assuaged the Roman Catholic Church's
concerns. 

"I don't see this as a joke," the bishops' spokeswoman said. "It could
lead to a false understanding of confession." 

Copyright, Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved


----- End NetScrap(TM) -----