Reasons why women cant be priests?

The idea of a universal priesthood is shared by the Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian communions. Anglicans also claim that their priests are part of a universal priesthood although the Catholic and Orthodox communions (I don't know about the Armenians) regard Anglican orders as null and void.

The concept of priesthood is based mostly on Paul's writings and they in turn reflect first century Jewish teaching. Priests act as an intermediary between God and mankind and for the past 2,000 years they have been male.

Although theologians are divided on the issue, most can see no theological objection to female priests or bishops. However, this is a matter of fundamental concern to all Christians and no part of the Church wants to go ahead in isolation. In the West, we have women plumbers, women engine drivers and even women Prime Ministers and the idea of women priests is not too strange to us. However, in the East, society is arranged differently and it is likely to be some time before the Orthodox communion come round to the idea of even discussing the issue. In the mean time, the previous Pope has called for a hiatus in public discussion in the Catholic church. If the Catholic church was to accept women priests in isolation, the goal of Christian unity would be set back 1,000 years. The Catholic church regards the unity for which Jesus prayed to be more important than priestly gender.

The Anglican communion regard themselves as both reformed and catholic. Many regard their introduction of female priests and now bishops as being a sign that they are a Protestant sect. Some are quite happy with such a state of being - others are voting with their feet.

Protestant denominations generally find the whole subject confusing, but - by and large - that's because they don't subscribe to a universal priesthood. Protestants have female ministers of the Eucharist - so do Catholics. Protestants have female preachers and ministers of the Gospel - so do Catholics. The priesthood is something different that was rejected by Luther and Calvin.