Movies, weather... and a little spiritual cleansing

Catholics can now turn to their iPhone or iPad to help unburden themselves of their sins.

A US company has released "Confession: A Roman Catholic app" which for $2.58 guides Catholics through the sacrament and provides a "personalised examination of conscience for each user".

The Catholic Church in New Zealand has welcomed the app as a useful tool, but has rejected the idea that people could one day confess entirely on their mobile phone or iPad.

Father James Lyons, parish priest of Wellington's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, said a vital aspect of confession - or reconciliation - was personal interaction.

"The word reconciliation suggests coming together. A virtual reconciliation would not allow for the same level of human connection," he said.

But Father Lyons said the practice of reconciliation was falling away in New Zealand, and as a result "anything that can help people to engage with reconciliation is to be applauded".

The app is designed to be taken into the confessional booth, and is especially aimed at those who have not confessed to a priest for some time.

It takes into account a person's age, sex, job, and the time since their last confession to create a customised "examination of conscience" which aims to prepare its user for confession.

Rachael Wong, a lawyer from Auckland and committed Catholic, agreed to test drive the app and said the process the software took its user through was "very practical and comprehensive".

"If we're using digital technology to advance other areas of our lives ... then we should use it to advance our faith as well," she said.