istoryworld
Christianity timeline
Pope John Paul I dies, after a pontificate of only 33 days
Polish cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected pope and takes the name John Paul II
John Paul II makes an emotional and influential return to Poland, the country of his birth
Archbishop Oscar Romero, an exponent of liberation theology, is killed as he celebrates Mass in San Salvador
Christian militiamen massacre Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Chatila camps in Lebanon
Government imposition of Islamic law (sharia) triggers renewed civil war in Sudan between the Muslim north and Christian south
Desmond Tutu is the first black African to be archbishop of Cape Town
A woman is consecrated as Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts, becoming the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion's historic line of succession from St Peter
In his apostolic letter Ordinatio sacerdotalis John Paul II forbids even any discussion of the ordination of women
Dial House becomes the home of the Bishop of Kensington
John Paul II, dying after 26 years on the papal throne, is the third longest-serving pope in history
Joseph Ratzinger is elected pope and takes the name Benedict XVI
