Pinoy priest invents confessional for hearing-impaired

The hearing-impaired may soon have an easier time at the sacrament of Confession, after a retired Filipino techie priest invented a computer-based secure communication system between penitent and priest.

 

Dubbed the St. Damien’s Confession Box, the tool allows the penitent and priest to communicate using computers linked only to each other and not to the Internet or any external device.

 

A primer on the tool said it is primarily for deaf people and those with speech impediments, and to priests not trained enough in sign language conversation:

 

 

"Using the keyboard of an ordinary laptop computer specially set up to connect exclusively with one other laptop, the penitent and priest will type and send their messages to each other via the special software running on both computers. The penitent’s laptop is located in the penitent’s side of the confessional, while the priest’s at his side.  Both laptops have functionalities restricted only for use during confession.  They cannot be used for other purposes," it added (http://stdamien.org/).

 

The system does not retain any data, and uses a physical cable to link the laptops.

 

Yet, it said the “matter and form” of the sacrament are present, with the priest verbally pronouncing the prayer of absolution whether he is heard or not.

 

Just like texting

 

The system has clickable buttons including “Start,” “Enter,”  End Confession” or “Listen to the words of absolution.”

 

For the penitent, traditional prayers are also written on the penitent’s screen including the “Act of Contrition.”

 

Hack-proof

 

The system is also hack-proof as it is just a two-connection system without Internet connectivity.

 

Also, an individual cannot take files from the system as there are no files stored.

 

"The USB ports are sealed and other network connectivity is disabled so there is no possible way to get any information out," the primer said.

 

A screenshot of the penitent’s screen can be accessed here, while a shot of the priest’s screen can be accessed here.

 

Filipino priest inventor

 

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said the inventor is Fr. Romuald Zantua, a retired Filipino priest now based in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Zantua, formerly of Daet diocese and founder of a religious community called Disciples of Hope, was a former executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Seminaries.

 

Awaiting approval

 

Meanwhile, the CBCP said the tool is still awaiting approval from the Holy See.

 

"It has been presented to the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) in Phoenix during their annual Pastoral Week last year.  After few revisions and joint assessments of NCOD and the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), the latest version was finalized," the CBCP said. — TJD, GMA News