Roman Catholics around the world who are tormented by their sins but unable to make it to church may soon be able to confess - by fax machine.
The Observer newspaper said in a report published Sunday that new hi-tech confessionals will be unveiled in May in Vincenza, Italy, at an annual trade fair for religious items and furnishings.Sound-proofing, air-conditioning and comfortable armchairs will also be included in some models, the newspaper added.
Church officials have already criticized the idea and one priest said the fair's organizers had "turned the confessional into a space-age telephone booth."
But the newspaper said spiritual communication by fax was not unique. An Israeli company had installed a fax machine at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem last week so Jews could send prayers direct.