Christ did not ordain priests, as far as I know, of either sex. He said to have communion in memory of His sacrifice, but I can't recall Him saying who was to preside over communion. The church members met in homes at first, and there were several homes where both husband and wife were mentioned as hosts. Paul the Apostle mentioned these homes, one of them being where a woman named Priscilla lived. I can't remember her husband's name or the names of the other hosts of Paul the Apostle on his journeys.
The original disciples, the 12 closest, were called Apostles, not priests, as far as I know. I say "as far as I know" because I don't know everything about it.
This does not mean that I consider the ordination of women to be something easily undertaken. I know a VERY fine female priest in the Episcopal Church, one who would satisfy your need for tradition on other issues, Brazillian. But she is often busy with her two young children, and so she is not available for full time work. She donates her time as an assistant priest, and is probably the most effective priest I have ever met.
But she is also a wife and mother, and she realizes she can't be full time until the children grow up, if ever, for she may not have an opportunity to serve in another community, since her husband has a job here. She has given the best sermons I have heard in a church. To deny her the right to contribute in this way would be a loss to the church. An enormous loss.
ope Francis & The Vatican.
