Now, a new app that can help you to confess

The new snappily-titled `Confession: A Roman Catholic App` has even been officially approved by the Catholic Church and is believed to be a hit among religious iPhone or iPad owners with a guilty conscience.

Hailed as the "perfect aid for every penitent", the app measures the user`s age, sex, occupation and how much time has elapsed since their last confession.

The app`s "examination of conscience" then decides what penance to impose - it even comes with seven acts of contrition to choose from, the Daily Mail reported.

Its developers, Little iApps, a three-man team based in Indianapolis, described the app as "a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, inviting 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.

Patrick Leinen of Little iApps said: "Our bishop was very excited about it.

"We were able to work with several priests in order to get that examination of conscience created, so it was kind of fun. The imprimatur itself was pretty neat."

The app is available to download from iTunes for USD 1.99.