What is this idea of marital debt? Where is it in the Catechism, or in other official magisterial Church documents? (Hint: It's not actually there!) What does a belief in marital debt do to a married Catholic or Christian woman?

In this episode, Sarah tackles marital debt head-on, debunking the idea that obligation sex for wives is the teaching of the Church. She shares quotes from official church teachings and looks to a common quote from the Supplement to the Summa (not actually written by St. Thomas Aquinas, but by one of his students) that is used to support an obligation sex idea of marital debt. 

At the end of the episode, she shares additional podcasts you can listen to in order to learn more about how marital debt is not official Catholic Church teaching.

These are:

Managing Your Fertility Episodes 66-68: "Dr. Tim Pawl: Can I say No to s*x with my spouse? aka the marital debt!" 3 part series.

MissHappyCatholic: Marital Debt Deep Dive Parts 1 + 2: Facts and Fictions

Here are so more resources educating on the importance of consent to sex in Catholic marriage (free of coercion):

"A Catholic Guide to Practicing Consent in Marriage," by Grace Wojdak (from Notre Dame's Church Life Journal)

"Catholics Should Care about Sex and Consent," by Grace Wojdak (America Magazine)

"Sexual Coercion, Sacramental Marriage, and the 'Alarm Clock' Method," by Jenny DuBay (Patheos)

And this series by Evangelical Protestant author Sheila Gregoire on the harms of obligation sex and how to undo them is excellent:

"Obligation Sex Series: 10 Things to Know about Obligation Sex,' by Sheila Gregoir (BareMarriage.com)

🌸 free online Catholic marriage workshop: the Little Way of Marriage 

Learn how to do little marriage-building skills with great love, inspired by St. Thérèse, the Little Flower, and her holy parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin!

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MORE RESOURCES

Free Enhancing Marital Intimacy Guide for Catholic Women: 9 Skills for Body, Mind, and Spirit (for married and engaged women)

Do you want to know what is allowed for Catholics in the bedroom? The "What's Allowed List" answers 20+ questions about what is licit and illicit. ($10)

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