Who can receive the sacrament of holy orders in Roman Catholicism?

In the Roman Catholic Church, the sacrament of holy orders is reserved for baptized males who meet specific requirements, including appropriate age, suitable character, and the attainment of necessary academic standards.1

Regarding the specific orders:

• Priesthood and Episcopacy: Only men may be ordained as priests or bishops. The Roman Catholic Church maintains a requirement of celibacy for these roles, except in certain specified cases.231
• Diaconate: Following the Second Vatican Council, the church restored the permanent diaconate, to which both single and married men may be admitted. Married men must generally be older than age 35 to be ordained to the diaconate.23

While there has been ongoing theological discussion and calls from some groups regarding the ordination of women as priests or deacons, the Roman Catholic Church does not currently ordain women to these offices. Additionally, policies regarding the ordination of gay men have been subject to specific ecclesiastical directives, such as the requirement for chastity.23