Timeline of Papal Development from Daniel Keeran, Victoria, BC
The Letter of First Clement (written in Rome between 80 and 95 A.D.) – written from the church at Rome on the occasion of a rebellion against the presbyters of the church at Corinth, and there is no mention of a singular ruling bishop either in Rome or in Corinth. Epistle of Barnabas (written between 80 and 120 A.D.) – written to a general Christian audience, and there is no mention of a singular ruling bishop in Rome. Shepherd of Hermas (written between 90 to 140 A.D.) – written to the whole church and for “the elders who preside over the church” at Rome to read and distribute to the churches. Grapte and Clement are named with the latter identified as the correspondent to other churches. There is no mention of a singular ruling bishop in Rome. Ignatius of Antioch (writing about 140 A.D.) – commands obedience to a singular ruling bishop over individual churches, and writes to Rome but makes no mention of a singular ruling bishop in Rome. Irenaeus (writing about 180 A.D.) – to argue against heretical groups, he makes first mention of a singular ruling bishop in Rome and in other churches in succession from the apostles, where he says the true teaching can be found. Victor (about 175 to 190 A.D.) – asserts power as a singular ruling bishop in Rome, by excommunicating churches observing a different Easter date. Irenaeus corrects Victor and intervenes to restore peace among the churches.