(UPI) - A woman and man in Italy said they have apologized to church authorities for having oral sex in a cathedral confession box.

The couple requested a meeting with Cesena Archbishop Antonio Lanfranchi to say they were sorry for their indecent behavior, ANSA reported Wednesday.

The man, 31, and woman, 32, are facing charges of indecency and the bishop had to hold a purification ceremony in the church as a result of the Sunday morning incident, the report said.

The pair's lawyer said the bishop accepted the couple's apology after their Tuesday meeting.

The lawyer said the amorous couple ''felt better'' after ''getting it off their chests" and he would appeal for leniency, claiming the defendants were "very drunk" after going to a rock concert.