I was sent this interesting quote from Pope St. Clement (+99 – 3rd Successor of St. Peter) , 1st Letter to the Corinthians, 44.
Note: We can use the term “Pope” legitimately for St. Clement as well as for St. Peter himself in view of the fact that the “papacy” as an institution also with monarchical elements would soon develop. It is really a bit anachronistic to apply “Pope” in a more technical sense to these very early “Popes”. See! I did it again!
1st Clement is one of the earliest of all Christian writings, along with the Didache. It is addressed to all the Christians of Corinth. The Bishop of Rome is already demonstrating his role to “strengthen” and he is exercising authority. In Corinth, some priests (presbyters, elders) had been unjustly deposed by their flocks. They had been “cancelled”, not from above so much as from below. However, the principle laid down by Clement would be the same were the priests cancelled from above, by the “bishop” in Corinth or a body of elders. The whole long letter, which has references to Paul’s letters, is a fascinating glimpse into the governance of the early Church.
In the course of the Letter, Clement is rather fluid with terms and uses “overseer” and “elder” (episkopos and presbyteros) which are pretty much interchangeable.
This passage pertains to both priests and bishops.
My emphases and comments.
Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ [a reference to the Apostolic Tradition, what Christ taught them and what was handed down through time], that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep [die… not retire… fathers don’t retire, husbands (to dioceses) don’t retire], other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ, in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest anyone deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that you have removed some men of excellent behavior from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour.
Translated by John Keith.
From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 9. Edited by Allan Menzies.
(Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm>.
