Catholic women to be 'ordained'

PASSAU, Germany (CNN) -- A group of Roman Catholics is planning to hold an ordination ceremony Saturday to admit women to the priesthood in a rite unrecognized by the Vatican.

At least three women from Germany and Austria, and possibly as many as 11, will be "ordained" in a ceremony set to take place on the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, the day such ceremonies are traditionally held, sources told CNN.

Romulo Braschi, an Argentine who has been living in Switzerland and Germany for years, has been mentioned as the most likely person to officiate.

Any officially recognized bishop participating in unsanctioned rites would face disciplinary action from the church, but church authorities say Braschi is not an authentic bishop, said John Allen, a reporter for the National Catholic Reporter.

In two written statements, the Munich archdiocese has called the event a "sectarian spectacle" and said it has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church.

Plans for the "ordination" have been cloaked in secrecy -- so much so that media representatives have been instructed to meet in a parking lot on that morning, Allen said.

Passau is on Germany's southeast border with Austria.