For those of you who aren't Catholic:
Imprimatur is the Latin term for "let it be printed," which signifies the approval by a bishop of a religious work for publication. Authors are at liberty to obtain the imprimatur either from the bishop where they reside, or where the book is to be published, or where it is printed. Generally the imprimatur, along with the bishop's name and date of approval, is to be shown in the publication.
--Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary
This new iPhone app, although it isn't the first of its kind, apparently includes "a step-by-step guide to the sacrament" as well as an examination of conscience.
I think the appearance of this new app is a sign of our changing times - both good and bad.
On the plus side, I'm positively delighted that the Church is keeping up with modern technology, and, in the spirit of Pope John Paul II, using modern technology as a means of evangelization.
However, I also think the emergence of this app also shows how technologically-centered people have become (as opposed to God-centered) that the Church has been forced to resort to creating iPhone applications just to tell people a simple message of repentance.
For the record, I've got The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, The Holy Bible, and a plethora of Gregorian chant on my iPod. Now, I just wish someone would come out with a version of the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) for the iPod touch/iPhone!
Cheers!
I think the appearance of this new app is a sign of our changing times - both good and bad.
On the plus side, I'm positively delighted that the Church is keeping up with modern technology, and, in the spirit of Pope John Paul II, using modern technology as a means of evangelization.
However, I also think the emergence of this app also shows how technologically-centered people have become (as opposed to God-centered) that the Church has been forced to resort to creating iPhone applications just to tell people a simple message of repentance.
For the record, I've got The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, The Holy Bible, and a plethora of Gregorian chant on my iPod. Now, I just wish someone would come out with a version of the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) for the iPod touch/iPhone!
Cheers!
Maybe it is time for another Vatican Council, one for the digital age. Perhaps they could call it Vatican 3.0 (or Vatican III.0). But seriously, it was entirely predictable that at some point the Church would develop an iPhone app. After all, after initially resisting the printing press, the Church eventually made its peace with the new technology. That's how the counter-reformation happened. The Church also eventually embraced radio (e.g. Father Coughlin) and TV (e.g. Archbishop Fulton Sheen). Of course, I can't imagine any prominent priests or bishops blogging anytime soon. But you never know...
ReplyDeleteMy question is... where's the nihil obstat?
ReplyDeleteand speaking of blogging clergy...
http://blog.archny.org/
The blog of the archbishop of NY, NY. Since he isn't a Cardinal (yet), I suppose he isn't thaaaaat prominent.... ;)
and then the priest blogs I read regularly:
wdtprs.com/blog
http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/
http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/
Sorry they aren't hyper links; I'm one of those internet illiterates! :)
@Dr. Macek - Archbishop Sheen's show, "Life is Worth Living" wasn't just any old television show run by a Catholic--it eventually became one of the most popular shows of its time, with as many as 10 million viewers per week.
ReplyDeleteThe Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is a television network begun by a nun--and is probably the largest religious media network in the world.
Catholics (both laity and priests)aren't new to the blogging world either. American Papist blog (one of my favorites) was begun a 21 year old Theology student - and then there's all those priest blogs that Eric referred to.
So no, Catholics aren't new to technology :)
@Laura--In RE: Archbishop Sheen and his legacy, you might be interested in a book by an old grad school chum of mine, Tony Smith, that has just been published by U of Kansas Press, "The Look of Catholics: Portrayals in Popular Culture from the Great Depression to the Cold War." (More info here: http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/smiloo.html ). Tony -- who was a grad student in American Studies when I met him back in the early 90s-- shared my interest in 1930s and 40s media (film, radio, newspapers). Now, he's a religious studies professor at the University of Dayton. He's something of an expert on the Catholic experience in America.
ReplyDeleteCool! I shall have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteBTW... did you know that Archbishop Sheen's case is up for the beatification process? He was originally from the Peoria diocese (which is where I go to Church) and so we're all really excited!
This is very interesting.. I'm sure that a lot of "older" Catholics would be resistant to the idea. (Almost like the way many older pastors don't like the idea of a "contemporary" church.)
ReplyDeleteBut, when you come down to it, churches are businesses like any other, and this is just a way for them to expand their market, as well as retaining their current market. (Following trends.)
@Eric
ReplyDeleteThe app has both the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur:
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Monsignor Michael Heintz, PhD
Censor Liborum
Imprimatur: + Kevin C. Rhoades
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
December 17, 2010
I know because I was the one who got it. I actually learned quite a bit about the process when were attempting to get this approved. I had to explain the logic of how the examination of conscience is generated because the app creates various examinations based upon your age (child, teen, or adult), sex, and vocation (single, married, priest, or religious). We had to submit what each of those examination's text would be and also all of the prayers and inspirational messages are. Msgr. Heintz reviewed them, gave us the Nihil Obstat, and then forwarded everything off to the bishop to review. About a week later, we received the Imprimatur in the mail.
Interesting side store: We initially were going to call the app a different name, but about a week after we received the imprimatur for the old name, another horrible app came out with the name we were going to use. We contacted Msgr. Heintz and told him about our situation (since the Imprimatur lists the book/app name on it). He said as long as text wasn't changing we just had to tell him the new name and it would be ok.
@Chip - Wait... so you're the guy who MADE the app? Awesome!! Keep up the good work and may God bless you abundantly!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
One of the guys... It is my brother, a friend, and me. Thank you. We've got another app in the works now and a few others that we are debating about now.
ReplyDelete