Vatican warning on danger of 'online confession'

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-538079,00.html

> From Richard Owen in Rome
January 10, 2003 

The Vatican has warned Catholic bishops and priests not to use the 
internet to hear "online confessions" in case they are read by 
"ill-intentioned people such as hackers" for purposes such as 
blackmail. 

The Holy See's judicial arm said there was a risk that criminals would 
misuse confidential information intended for the eyes of a confessor 
only. 

It did not say if the warning had been prompted by an actual case of 
blackmail. No figures have been released for the number of confessions 
heard online. The Vatican has embraced the internet with enthusiasm, 
and since 1997 has had an efficient website powered by computers named 
after the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and run by nuns. 

The Pope, while warning of the "dark uses" to which the internet can 
be put and the "temptations" it offers, has used it to send messages 
and prayers around the world. However, he is against group confessions 
and collective absolutions. 

[...]




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