Consent

 Why does the Caholic Church say that “consent” of both the bride and groom are necessary for marriage to be a sacrament?  Well, there was a time when marriage was all about the father of each person making a social contract with the families.  It was “deal” making.  What the bride wanted was of no concern.  She was property, and the father of the bride often had to come up with a dowery, cash if you will, for the groom’s family to take the bride who would now be an “expense” to the groom’s family.  Having children would help of course.  So the church actually stood up for women in this case and got involved in marriages.  The woman now had a say.  Marriage became a sacrament, one of only seven.  Of course if the woman refused, she could be locked up in a tower, like Ripunsel, who then grew her hair so long that her Prince Charming could climb up the braids.  Who remembers these old tales?