Why do Christians believe that only men should be priests?

Answer 1

Not all Christians believe this--it's a tenet of the Roman Catholic church, and it stems both from Scripture (which most Catholics interpret as supporting the idea that only men are called to preach the Gospel) and from tradition (the fuzzy logic that only men have ever been priests in the Catholic church; hence, only men should be priests). Although some folks will offer "prooftexts" (i.e., Bible verses taken out of context--see the answer below) to "support" this position, very few Christians--Catholic or otherwise--take these verses as completely literal, as evidenced by the fact that women do speak in churches, whether as preachers, members of the congregation, etc.

; 1 Corinthians 14 : 34-36 : Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. The men would not want anybody lower than them in rank preach to them. ; 1 Corinthians 11 : 3 : But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Answer 2

Catholic theologians could only speculate on Christ's reason for calling only men to be priests, since He didn't say why He chose only men. What is known is that He did choose only men. The Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, explains the reasons the Church has upheld this decision and is not able to ordain women.