Makers Little iApps came up with the idea after hearing Pope Benedict say new media, "can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being."

A spokesperson for the firm said: "Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent.

"With a personalised examination of conscience for each user, password protected profiles, and a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, this app invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance."

Bishop Kevin Rhodes, of the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend, has even granted the app an imprimatur, an official endorsement from the Catholic Church.

The app is not quite a complete confessional; a priest is required for absolution.

A similar app appeared last summer; iConfess is a "comprehensive guidebook and tool for Roman Catholics taking the Sacrament"; it has the following features:

• Search for any content
• Flag an item for easy reference during Confession
• Do a detailed Examination of Conscience with the ability to flag individual sins so you can go through them one by one as you take your Confession with the Priest
• Optional icon badging of number of flagged notes/sins to constantly remind you of what to consider on your next Confession
• Logging of all your Confessions to remember important points discussed with the Priest
• Built-in notepad for taking down notes to discuss with the Priest during Confession
• Master password for privacy

Fans of Philip K. Dick recall the padre booth from his 1969 novel Galactic Pot-Healer:

Getting to his feet he crossed the waiting room to the Padre booth; inside he put a dime into the slot and dialed at random. The marker came to rest at Zen.

"Tell me your torments," the Padre said, in an elderly voice marked with compassion. And slowly; it spoke as if there were no rush, no pressures. All was timeless.

Joe said "I haven't worked for seven months and now I've got a job that takes me out of the Sol system entirely, and I'm afraid. What if I can't do it? What if I've lost my skill?

The Padre's weightless voice floated back reassuringly to him. "You have worked and not worked. Not working is the hardest work of all."

That's what I get for dialing zen, Joe said to himself.