"As Pope Saint Paul VI explained, because Jesus freely chose only men for apostles,  ‘…in fidelity to the example of the Lord, [the Church] does not consider herself authorized to admit women to priestly ordination.’  Thus, the Roman Catholic Church does not see attempted ordination of women as valid and, indeed, is an excommunicable action.  More info can be found in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis of Pope Saint John Paul II."  Very Reverend Glennon Jones, Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy, Vicar for Religious