The deadline fixed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, threatening excommunication against the seven women who were the protagonists of an “ordination” ceremony, officiated by the schismatic bishop Romulo Braschi on 29 June, expired on 22 July. The women have announced that they want to lodge an “appeal” against their official reprimand by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. In a letter sent to the Congregation, they affirm: “We have not committed any action that may justify excommunication”. The women have also staged a protest in front of the archdiocesan ordinariate in Munich, brandishing papier maché puppets portraying Cardinal Ratzinger and John Paul II. According to a communiqué issued by the Austrian Kathpress agency, a “juridical debate” between the Vatican and the “women priests” is not expected in ecclesiastical circles. The excommunication, issued by administrative decree, does not invalidate baptism, but it does eliminate ecclesiastical rights. It may be revoked by confession or by the suspension of the conduct that gave rise to the provision.
