If a man's wife becomes paralyzed a year after his wedding,
do you not think it is his right to divorce her and find some happiness for
the rest of his life?
I do not think any such thing. The formula used most often for the wedding vows in English speaking countries says it better than I can (for worse, in sickness, for poorer). Marriage is a lifelong contract between a man, a woman and God. Even if the man and woman no longer want to keep the contact, God, being a Party to the arrangement, has the final say in the matter. For Christians, a valid, consummated marriage cannot be broken on earth by any power, except the death of one of the parties. I also think you sue the word "happiness" in an equivocal way in your question. In any event, eternal happiness is what our destiny is suppose to be, not merely temporary or earthly happiness. It would be the height of folly to give up everlasting joy by abandoning a sick spouse.
Reprinted from November 21, 1997
This is a special prayer for a Catholic wedding, which the priest who is presiding at the ceremony recites over the newly married couple. If the wedding takes place during Mass, this prayer is said around the time of the Lord's Prayer. It is a beautiful prayer and deserves meditation by Catholics who are called by God to the vocation of marriage both before and after their wedding day.
Reprinted from November 28, 1997
If two Jews get married by a Rabbi, does the Catholic Church
consider that they are truly married? If they later get divorced can one of
them marry a Catholic?
Yes, they are truly married. Although, being unbaptized they do not receive the sacrament of matrimony, they nevertheless have entered a sacred, lifelong contract which is both licit and valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Civil divorce would not be able to end such a marriage in the eyes of God. Therefore, unless the Jewish marriage was found to be null for some reason, or the Pauline or Peterine privilege were involved, neither could marry a Catholic. By the way it is seriously sinful for a Catholic to date (must less get engaged to) someone who is not free to marry. Catholics are not allowed to date another person's spouse, no matter what the government says about his or her marital status.
Reprinted from October 10, 1997
I am a Catholic but
I was married in the courthouse because my husband was divorced. Is it all
right to ask a priest to bless my wedding ring?
Blessing your wedding ring will not rectify or validate your illicit marriage. By all means, go to a priest to see if something can be done about your marriage situation.
Reprinted from December 7, 1997
Outside of Catholic marriages, which marriages does the Catholic Church recognize
as valid marriages (Lutheran, Methodist, etc?)
People who are not Catholic (and never have been) can and do enter marriages that are licit and valid, and binding for life in the eyes of the Catholic Church, provided that there is no obstacle (such as a previous marriage) to the union. Non-Catholics who are not baptized do not receive a sacrament (since no sacraments are valid except for the baptized) but enter a solemn, sacred and binding marriage contract between a man, a woman and God. Baptized non-Catholics possibly receive a sacrament, but since most Protestant religions do not recognize marriage as a sacrament, but only a "holy ordinance" or something like that, it would be doubtful if a non-Catholic who did not recognize matrimony as a sacrament would actually then receive a sacrament. In any event, for such people marriage is at least a solemn, lifelong, binding and sacred contract.
Reprinted from February 14, 1997
A friend of mine who is a Christian Scientist told me that
they do not have marriages in their churches. Why not?
Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder and inventor of the Christian Science Religion (which is neither Christian nor scientific), considered marriage "legalized lust," although she herself was married three times. She called children "errors." Christian Scientists are usually married by Justices of the Peace or friendly Protestant ministers.
Reprinted from February 21, 1997
If a Jew marries another non-Catholic in front of a Protestant
minister, is she really married in the eyes of the Catholic Church?
Most likely, yes. Provided there is no previous bond of marriage or other natural law obstacle, marriages between non-Catholics are valid and licit in the eyes of the Church. Such people are truly married. Although they most likely do not receive the "sacrament" of matrimony, they are parties to a life-long and exclusive contract with each other and with God.
Reprinted from November 15, 1996