I couldn't access it; will try again when I have time, probably not tonight. A widow? First wife a widow? That's kind of odd but entirely possible.
The point of Kerry and his current wife if indeed had their invalid marriage (outside of church) convalidated probably won't help Kerry's present friction with Church teachings, and worse yet if the marriage is still outside of the Church.
Absolutely. At least for a period of time. More proof that taking the teachings of the church seriously is for peons. I don't know if the above is going to matter to someone who is in a position to do something about it.
From reading about his life, which doesn't seem to involve any particular scandal, I get the impression that religion is only a matter of convenience from which to serve as a springboard for one's political platform. I get the impression, from what I read about the "conversion" of the grandfather and family was more a matter of exigency than spiritual conviction. He seems to have inherited a blase attitude about his religion.