Free Republic

VATICAN, Jan 27, 03 (CWNews.com) -- The Holy See has confirmed the excommunication of 7 Catholic women who sought ordination to the priesthood through a schismatic sect, in a ceremony that took place in Austria in June 2002. A decree announcing the excommunication had already been released, on August 5, 2002. But the women had appealed that action. Their appeal was heard in December, the Vatican has announced, and a new decree reaffirming their excommunication was approved by Pope John Paul II, and signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.