FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
LGBT Catholics Shouldn’t Confess, They Should Come Out, Says TWO
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Truth Wins Out today condemned an iPhone App, designed to guide Catholics through confession. Among one of many offensive questions asked on, “Confession: A Roman Catholic App”, is “Have I been guilty of any homosexual activity.”
“This is cyber spiritual abuse that promotes backward ideas in a modern package,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director, Wayne Besen. “Gay Catholics don’t need to confess, they need to come out of the closet and challenge anti-gay dogma. The false idea that being gay is something to be ashamed of has destroyed too many lives. This iPhone App is facilitating and furthering the harm.”
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote about the downloadable software today. Three young men in South Bend, Indiana designed it with the help of two socially conservative priests. According to iTunes, the App is ranked No. 22 in sales worldwide.
“When a person feels his or her most innate feelings of sexuality and love are sinful, it denies them a healthy connection to humanity,” said TWO’s Besen. “This app is helping to create neurotic individuals who are ashamed of who they are. The creators of this device are the true sinners and they need to confess for the damage they are doing in the name of religion.”
The app says it is: “Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent. With a personalized 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.”
Recently, there has been concern that the Catholic Church is becoming more anti-gay and intolerant. The organization Catholics for Equality recently voiced unease over new funding from the Dioceses of Oakland and Colorado Springs for the establishment of chapters of the “ex-gay” organization Courage. This organization has traditionally focused on celibacy for gay people, because it has worked so well for priests.
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
