Question
With all these cases in the news about priests and their "inappropriate" behavior, does this mean that their ordination did not count when they did this behavior? How does the Vatican make the ordination null and void?
--Obtuse in Orange
Answer
Inappropirate behavior by a priest does not make their ordination invalid or null and void. It is very rare to have an ordination "null and void." From Canon Law, an ordination can be declared null if:
1. The ordaining bishop was not validly ordained.
2. The bishop did not intend to ordain.
3. The imposition of hands was not done.
4. The necessary part of the prayer of ordination was not said.
5. The ordinand was not validly baptized.
6. The ordinand was not genetically a male.
7. The ordinand did not intend to be ordained, that is, he positively excluded ordination but went through the rite due to grave fear or force.