Joint Confession?

[SouthernSister]

Okay, I’m certain this is the most idiotic question but I’ve never thought of it before and have never read anything about it! So here it is:

Can a couple confess together? I’m thinking if there is a sin they have both been involved in and are sitting face-to-face with the Priest, and are both open to confessing together. I’m thinking along the lines of contraception or something along those lines?

Is it just considered a counselling session? Or can the Priest absolve them together? Or must he see them separately to absolve them?

No laughing, please. I’m very sincere in my question!

SouthernSister

 

[momof3boys]

I actually asked my priest this because I was afraid to go to my first confession (I’m in RCIA) and wanted my husband to go with me. He said in the past he has let a young kid have their parent along, but doesn’t really allow that anymore.
I finally did go to confession & I loved it!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

SouthernSister:

Okay, I’m certain this is the most idiotic question but I’ve never thought of it before and have never read anything about it! So here it is:

Can a couple confess together? I’m thinking if there is a sin they have both been involved in and are sitting face-to-face with the Priest, and are both open to confessing together. I’m thinking along the lines of contraception or something along those lines?

Is it just considered a counselling session? Or can the Priest absolve them together? Or must he see them separately to absolve them?

No laughing, please. I’m very sincere in my question!

SouthernSister

The Sacraments are celebrated individually under normal circumstances. I suppose both could be present as would be an interpreter. However both must separately begin with “Bless me father for I have…” and end with " Go in peace…"

 

[thistle]

Br. Rich SFO:

The Sacraments are celebrated individually under normal circumstances. I suppose both could be present as would be an interpreter. However both must separately begin with “**Bless me father ** for I have…” and end with " Go in peace…"

Interesting. I used to say that but the Confession book I have now says to say **Forgive me father ** for I have sinned…
Which one is supposed to be used or is either okay?

 

[puzzleannie]

no there is no such thing as a joint confession. Each person has to confess individually. Either of them of course can request a face-to-face counseling session with the priest, and are free to bring up matter for confession, but the priest cannot bring up these matters in an outside conversation. I suggest I counselling session first, for some pastoral guidance on the underlying issue, then ask the priest at that time if you should both confess, and then do so. I have had the priest remind me several times to confess only my sins, not my husband’s or kid’s.

 

[puzzleannie]

momof3boys:

I. He said in the past he has let a young kid have their parent along, but doesn’t really allow that anymore.
I

specifically forbidden. the only situation where this would be allowed is a person as interpreter for a deaf/mute person or different language, even then the interpreter should not be related, and is bound by the seal of confession just as strictly as the priest. We actually have had these situations arise and they are handled on a case-by-case basis, usually by bringing in one of the two priests around who know sign languange. A nearby shrine has priests hearing confessions in several languages, so that is not a problem either.