Is it a mortal sin to refuse ones husband or wife the marital debt?
Conjugal relations are rightly called the “marriage debt”, which each spouse owes the other in justice the relations that are apt to engender children. It is this very particular right over ones body that is given up to ones spouse by marriage vows. Saint Paul is very explicit about this: Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body, but the wife. (I Cor. 7:3 & 4) A debt in justice obliges under pain when a serious matter or quantity is owed. However, marriage relationships are a serious matter and of great importance. Furthermore, the refusal of the marriage debt may cause a danger of incontinence. Consequently, it is a mortal sin to deprive ones spouse of these relationships. The typical example of this is when a wife feels that she is justified in withholding the marriage debt because her feelings are hurt, or s
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