Couple Confessing Together

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connorcream

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Howdy,
Is it ever permitted that a married couple receive the Sacrament of Confession together? I think receiving Spiritual Direction together would be permitted but not absolution of sins together. The CCC seems rather clear on this point about the sacrament being individual but I wanted to hear from others before mentioning this to my dear friend. Both were previously divorced and I know they want to do things in accord with Holy Mother Church.
 
NO!

From the Code of Canon Law:
Code: 
**Can.**** 960 **
Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which a member of the faithful who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses from such confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by other means also.
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I am not even sure that spiritual direction should be done as a couple. We each progress at a different rate and something that may have meaning to one person, won’t be as helpful to another. This is true even of very loving couples and isn’t a problem at all unless the couple begins trying to progress in exactly the same way at the same pace. In the end we each stand before the Lord individually so although a married couple should encourage each other on toward heaven, we need to also be sure that we each have our own relationship with God.
 
Tedster said:
NO!

From the Code of Canon Law:
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Note the words “ordinary means”. I do think that canon speaks less to having to be alone than to having to confess individually as opposed to ‘general absolution’. Remember, you can have an interpreter in the confessional with you.

As to the OP’s question, yuck, why would you ever want your spouse there with you?
 
I have known of it being done. However, many [most?] priests will not allow it. There is a chance of it forcing some one into making a bad confession. One spouse may have a serious sin to confess and not want the other to know of it, but they may feel pressured into going through the procedure.
 
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