2014 Event The Church of England announces that it has changed its rules to allow female bishops; the church has allowed female priests for the last 20 years but has not allowed women to serve in higher positions until now 2013 Event A vote by the General Synod of the Church of England approves legislation allowing women bishops to be ordained by 2014 2011 Event Pope Benedict XVI announces Roman Catholic bishops must obey a papal order allowing priests to say the old-style Tridentine Mass 1983 Event Pope John Paul II names 3 new Dutch bishops 1983 Event U.S. bishops condemn nuclear weapons 1970 Event Dutch bishops says he is in favor of married priest 1966 Event U.S. RC bishops ends rules against eating meat on Fridays 1960 Event Dutch bishops question papacy values 1954 Event Dutch bishops forbid membership to non-catholic sporting clubs 1954 Event Bishops publish Mandement (member socialist org forbidden) 1950 Event Prague espionage trial against bishops and priests begins 1947 Event Dutch RC bishops publish manifest against "godless communism" 1943 Event Dutch RC bishops protest against persecution of Jews 1942 Event RC churches protest, Dutch bishops stand against spread of Judaism 1939 Birthday Smangaliso P Mkhatshwa, born in South Africa, Secretary-General, Bishops' Conference 1983-88 1937 Event Spanish bishops support Franco and fascists 1936 Event Belgian bishops condemn fascism and communism 1936 Event Pope Pius XI encyclical to U.S. bishops "On motion pictures" 1936 Event Dutch bishops forbid membership of Nazi party 1934 Event Dutch RC Bishops warn against fascism/nazism 1933 Event Dutch bishops forbid membership in non-catholic unions 1853 Event Protestant church questions king Willem III RC bishops 1800 Event Pope Pius VII calls on French bishops to return to Gospel principles 1787 Event 1st Anglican bishops of New York and Pennsylvania consecrated in London 1591 Event French bishops recognize Henri IV as king of France 1220 Event German king Frederick II grants bishops sovereign rights
