New York Times: Vatican Asserts Rule That Bars Female Priests

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/world/europe/31vatican.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Vatican Asserts Rule That Bars Female Priests
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO
ROME — The Vatican on Friday reaffirmed a ban on ordaining women as priests, warning that the consequences of any such ordination would be the automatic excommunication of anyone involved.
... In the past six years, the organization says it has ordained more than 50 women and some men as priests and deacons in North America and Europe. In 2002, the Vatican excommunicated the first seven women shortly after the organization designated them priests.
On Friday, Bridget Mary Meehan, a spokeswoman for the group, said the excommunication, which extends to both the women and the bishops ordaining them, was a positive sign “that the Vatican is taking us seriously.”
Excommunicated Catholics cannot participate in the sacraments or public ceremonies or hold any ecclesiastical position.