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Apostolic Succession & Sacramental Validity

Empowered by the Spirit.

At Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA, our ministry is grounded in Catholic tradition. We stand firmly within the historic line of apostolic succession while courageously witnessing to a renewed priesthood of equals.

What Is Apostolic Succession?

In the Roman Catholic tradition, apostolic succession refers to the line of episcopal ordination reaching back to Jesus and the apostles. Through the laying on of hands by a validly consecrated bishop, the sacrament of Holy Orders confers the grace and authority to celebrate the sacraments for God’s people.

The Historic Danube Ordinations

The modern movement of Roman Catholic Womenpriests began on June 29, 2002, aboard a ship on the Danube River.

In the early 1970s, during the Cold War, Bishop Felix Davidek ordained a small group of women to priesthood in the underground church of Czechoslovakia. Those women priests, including Ludmila Javorová, are our honored foremothers.

The modern movement known as Roman Catholic Womenpriests was born on June 29, 2002, aboard a ship on the Danube River, with the first known public ordinations of women.

  • Valid Consecration: Seven Catholic women were ordained to the priesthood by Roman Catholic bishops who had been validly ordained in the line of apostolic succession.
  • Preserving Sacramental Character: Because these bishops were validly ordained in the Roman Catholic Church, the sacramental character (character indelebilis) of the Holy Orders remained intact.
  • Continuation of Lineage: Recognizing the need for women to continue ordaining other women in apostolic succession, two Roman Catholic bishops consecrated four womenpriests (Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, Gisela Forster, Pia Brunner, and Patricia Fresen) as bishops. Today, women bishops in our movement, through this line of apostolic succession, continue ordaining new deacons, priests, and bishops across the globe.
Read More About RCWP-USA and Our Roots
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The History of Women’s Ordination

Canonical Conflict Vs. Sacramental Validity

Catholic theology makes a crucial distinction between valid and licit (legal).

Valid (Is it real?)

A sacrament is valid when performed by a validly ordained minister using proper matter, form, and intention. Because our ordinations follow the historical Roman Catholic rite with laying on of hands and invocation of the Holy Spirit, RCWP ordinations are sacramentally valid.

Legal (Is it authorized by canon law?)

Current canon law (Canon 1024) restricts ordination to baptized males. By ordaining women, RCWP acts in deliberate disobedience to an unjust canon law while maintaining complete fidelity to the sacramental life of the Church.

“We choose to obey God rather than human authority.”
— Acts 5:29

Why Validity Matters

This understanding of apostolic succession offers peace of mind and spiritual grounding to everyone who participates in our sacramental life:

  • Authentic Sacraments: When you receive communion, absolution, or anointing from an RCWP priest, you receive valid Catholic sacraments. 
  • Prophetic Renewal: We remain a movement within the Roman Catholic Church, calling it to live out the radical equality modeled by Jesus. 
  • Inclusive Table: We view the grace of ordination in apostolic succession not as a badge of power or privilege, but as a tool of pastoral service to welcome all who have been turned away from traditional altars.