text: Guess I was wrong.  The RCC officially believes that Anglican and Episcopal Holy Orders are invalid.  I remember being taught, from 8th grade on, that they were valid.  And the argument given (which still makes sense to me) was:  The bishops who ordained the first Anglican priests could validly convey Holy Orders upon the person they were ordaining, because they had that power (from God) to do so.  Oh god, I'm glad I'm not Catholic anymore.  The RCC's clergy down through the centuries has been mostly male from Day One, and men (usually) have a big issues with power, control, and complicating whatever they can.  http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/ecumenical/anglican/anglican-orders-in-catholic-church.cfm