When did Anglican Orders become invalid? My understanding is that when Henry VIII broke from Holy Mother Church, the newly-created Anglicans were treated like the eastern schismatics, in that their Orders and Sacraments were valid, but illicit. However, I know by the 20th Century, Anglicans Orders were considered invalid by the Church. When did this change happen, and for what reason? Did it have to do with the "ordination" of women, or it predate that?