# First women priests in the Church of England (1994)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1994-first-women-priests-in-the-church-of-england
Location: Bristol, England
Themes: Persecution

The Church of England ordains its first women priests. At this point in the timeline (1994), the Bishop of Rome was Pope John Paul II (16 October 1978 – 2 April 2005).

## Why it matters
First women priests in the Church of England mattered because it shaped how Christians understand God, Christ, salvation and the church.

Pope at the time: [Pope John Paul II](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-john-paul-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women_in_the_Anglican_Communion)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First women priests in the Church of England](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+women+priests+in+the+Church+of+England)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)