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faith:the_faith_of_our_fathers:the_supremacy_of_the_popes [2025/07/10 11:53] – created Sandeep Kuriakosefaith:the_faith_of_our_fathers:the_supremacy_of_the_popes [2025/07/10 11:56] (current) – Sandeep Kuriakose
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-======   The Supremacy of the Popes   ======+====== The Supremacy of the Popes ======
  
 The Church **did not perish with Peter**. It was ordained by Christ to **endure until the consummation of time**; and therefore, whatever **official prerogatives** were conferred upon Peter were not to cease with his death, but were to be **transmitted to his successors** from generation to generation. The Church **did not perish with Peter**. It was ordained by Christ to **endure until the consummation of time**; and therefore, whatever **official prerogatives** were conferred upon Peter were not to cease with his death, but were to be **transmitted to his successors** from generation to generation.
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 As the present subject is of vast and solemn import, I shall now endeavour to demonstrate, from **incontestable historical evidence**, that the **Popes have, from the days of the Apostles, continued to exercise supreme jurisdiction**—not only in the **Western Church until the Reformation**, but also throughout the **Eastern Church until the great schism of the ninth century**. As the present subject is of vast and solemn import, I shall now endeavour to demonstrate, from **incontestable historical evidence**, that the **Popes have, from the days of the Apostles, continued to exercise supreme jurisdiction**—not only in the **Western Church until the Reformation**, but also throughout the **Eastern Church until the great schism of the ninth century**.
-=====   First — The Question of Appeals   =====+===== First — The Question of Appeals =====
  
 An appeal is never made from a **superior to an inferior court**, nor even from one tribunal to another of **equal jurisdiction**. We do not appeal from **Washington to Richmond**, but from **Richmond to Washington**. An appeal is never made from a **superior to an inferior court**, nor even from one tribunal to another of **equal jurisdiction**. We do not appeal from **Washington to Richmond**, but from **Richmond to Washington**.
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 The distinguished Church historian and Bishop of **Cyrrhus**, **Theodoret**, having been **condemned by the pseudo-council of Ephesus in 449**, appealed to **Pope Leo the Great** in the following moving words: The distinguished Church historian and Bishop of **Cyrrhus**, **Theodoret**, having been **condemned by the pseudo-council of Ephesus in 449**, appealed to **Pope Leo the Great** in the following moving words:
  
- <blockquote>+<blockquote>
  
-“I await the decision of your Apostolic See, and I supplicate your Holiness to succour me, who invoke your righteous and just tribunal; and to order me to hasten to you, and to explain to you my teaching, which follows the steps of the Apostles.... I beseech you not to scorn my application. Do not slight my grey hairs.... Above all, I entreat you to teach me whether to put up with this unjust deposition or not; for I await your sentence. If you bid me rest in what has been determined against me, I will rest, and will trouble no man more. I will look for the righteous judgment of our God and Saviour.” “To me,” continues Theodoret, “as Almighty God is my Judge, **honour and glory are no object**, but only the **scandal that has been caused**; for many of the simpler sort, especially those whom I have rescued from diverse heresies, **seeing the See which has condemned me**, now suspect that perhaps I truly am a heretic, being **incapable themselves of discerning the accuracy of doctrine**.”¹⁶⁹+“I await the decision of your Apostolic See, and I supplicate your Holiness to succour me, who invoke your righteous and just tribunal; and to order me to hasten to you, and to explain to you my teaching, which follows the steps of the Apostles…. I beseech you not to scorn my application. Do not slight my grey hairs…. Above all, I entreat you to teach me whether to put up with this unjust deposition or not; for I await your sentence. If you bid me rest in what has been determined against me, I will rest, and will trouble no man more. I will look for the righteous judgment of our God and Saviour.” “To me,” continues Theodoret, “as Almighty God is my Judge, **honour and glory are no object**, but only the **scandal that has been caused**; for many of the simpler sort, especially those whom I have rescued from diverse heresies, **seeing the See which has condemned me**, now suspect that perhaps I truly am a heretic, being **incapable themselves of discerning the accuracy of doctrine**.”¹⁶⁹
  
  </blockquote>  </blockquote>
 +
 **Pope Leo declared the deposition invalid**, and **Theodoret was restored** to his episcopal See. **Pope Leo declared the deposition invalid**, and **Theodoret was restored** to his episcopal See.
  
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 If this **does not constitute superior jurisdiction**, then I know not what **superior authority** could mean. If this **does not constitute superior jurisdiction**, then I know not what **superior authority** could mean.
-=====   Second — The Fathers of the Early Church   =====+===== Second — The Fathers of the Early Church =====
  
 Christians of every denomination admit the **orthodoxy** of the **Fathers of the first five centuries** of the Church. No one has ever dared to question the faith of such pillars as **Basil**, **Chrysostom**, **Cyprian**, **Augustine**, **Jerome**, **Ambrose**, and **Leo**. Christians of every denomination admit the **orthodoxy** of the **Fathers of the first five centuries** of the Church. No one has ever dared to question the faith of such pillars as **Basil**, **Chrysostom**, **Cyprian**, **Augustine**, **Jerome**, **Ambrose**, and **Leo**.
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 The **limited space** I have allowed myself in this **little volume** does not permit me to include any **direct extracts** from the writings of the Fathers. However, for the benefit of any reader who may be **unacquainted with the original languages** or who does not possess the texts of the Fathers, I refer him to the excellent work entitled **“The Faith of Catholics.”** In that volume, he will find **copious English translations** from the early Christian writers, **vindicating the Primacy of the Popes**. The **limited space** I have allowed myself in this **little volume** does not permit me to include any **direct extracts** from the writings of the Fathers. However, for the benefit of any reader who may be **unacquainted with the original languages** or who does not possess the texts of the Fathers, I refer him to the excellent work entitled **“The Faith of Catholics.”** In that volume, he will find **copious English translations** from the early Christian writers, **vindicating the Primacy of the Popes**.
-=====   Third — Ecumenical Councils as a Testimony to Papal Supremacy   =====+===== Third — Ecumenical Councils as a Testimony to Papal Supremacy =====
  
 **Ecumenical Councils** provide another eloquent vindication of the **supremacy of the Pope**. An **Ecumenical** or **General Council** is an **assembly of bishops from across the entire Catholic world**, convened to deliberate on matters of doctrine or discipline. In the structure of the Church, such a council is **analogous** to the **Executive and Legislative branches in Washington** within the constitutional system of the United States. **Ecumenical Councils** provide another eloquent vindication of the **supremacy of the Pope**. An **Ecumenical** or **General Council** is an **assembly of bishops from across the entire Catholic world**, convened to deliberate on matters of doctrine or discipline. In the structure of the Church, such a council is **analogous** to the **Executive and Legislative branches in Washington** within the constitutional system of the United States.
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 Let us focus instead, and briefly, on the **influence exerted by the Holy See** in the **first eight Councils of the East**: Let us focus instead, and briefly, on the **influence exerted by the Holy See** in the **first eight Councils of the East**:
  
-   - +   - **First Council of Nicæa**  – A.D. 325 
- +  - **First Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 381 
-**First Council of Nicæa**  – A.D. 325 +  - **Council of Ephesus**  – A.D. 431 
-  - +  - **Council of Chalcedon**  – A.D. 451 
- +  - **Second Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 553 
-**First Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 381 +  - **Third Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 680 
-  - +  - **Second Council of Nicæa**  – A.D. 787 
- +  - **Fourth Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 869
-**Council of Ephesus**  – A.D. 431 +
-  - +
- +
-**Council of Chalcedon**  – A.D. 451 +
-  - +
- +
-**Second Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 553 +
-  - +
- +
-**Third Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 680 +
-  - +
- +
-**Second Council of Nicæa**  – A.D. 787 +
-  - +
- +
-**Fourth Council of Constantinople**  – A.D. 869+
 In all these Councils, the **Bishops of Rome either convoked the assembly themselves**  or at least **gave formal consent to its convocation**. In each of them—**with the exception of the first and second Councils of Constantinople**—they **presided by their legates**, and in **every single case**, the Council's decrees **required papal confirmation**  to possess the force of law. In all these Councils, the **Bishops of Rome either convoked the assembly themselves**  or at least **gave formal consent to its convocation**. In each of them—**with the exception of the first and second Councils of Constantinople**—they **presided by their legates**, and in **every single case**, the Council's decrees **required papal confirmation**  to possess the force of law.
  
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 Is not this a **striking illustration of the Primacy**? The **Pope convenes**, **rules**, and **ratifies the Synods**, not by **courtesy**, but by **right**. A dignitary who **summons an assembly**, **presides over its deliberations**, and **whose signature is necessary**  to confirm its decrees, **unquestionably holds a higher authority**  than the other members. Is not this a **striking illustration of the Primacy**? The **Pope convenes**, **rules**, and **ratifies the Synods**, not by **courtesy**, but by **right**. A dignitary who **summons an assembly**, **presides over its deliberations**, and **whose signature is necessary**  to confirm its decrees, **unquestionably holds a higher authority**  than the other members.
  
----- +===== Fourth — The Role of the Papacy in the Evangelisation of Nations =====
- +
-====   Fourth — The Role of the Papacy in the Evangelisation of Nations   ====+
  
 I now refer to **one more historical witness**  in favour of the Pope’s **universal jurisdiction**—a fact both **remarkable and indisputable**: every nation hitherto converted from **Paganism to Christianity**  since the days of the Apostles has received the **light of the Gospel**  from missionaries who were either **specially commissioned by the See of Rome**, or who acted **in open communion with that See**. I now refer to **one more historical witness**  in favour of the Pope’s **universal jurisdiction**—a fact both **remarkable and indisputable**: every nation hitherto converted from **Paganism to Christianity**  since the days of the Apostles has received the **light of the Gospel**  from missionaries who were either **specially commissioned by the See of Rome**, or who acted **in open communion with that See**.
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 This historical pattern is without exception. Let us briefly consider a few prominent examples: This historical pattern is without exception. Let us briefly consider a few prominent examples:
  
-  * +  * **Ireland’s Apostle is St Patrick.**  Who sent him? **Pope St Celestine**, in the **fifth century**. 
- +  * **St Palladius**, Apostle of Scotland — likewise **commissioned by Pope Celestine**. 
-**Ireland’s Apostle is St Patrick.**  Who sent him? \\ **Pope St Celestine**, in the **fifth century**. +  * The **Anglo-Saxons**  were converted by **St Augustine**, a **Benedictine monk**, whose mission is affirmed by all historians, **Catholic and non-Catholic**  alike. 
-  * +  * Who empowered Augustine to preach? **Pope Gregory I**, at the close of the **sixth century**. 
- +  * **St Remigius**  established the faith in **France**  toward the end of the **fifth century**, while in **full communion with the See of Peter**. 
-**St Palladius**, Apostle of Scotland — likewise **commissioned by Pope Celestine**. +  * **Flanders**  received the Gospel in the **seventh century**  from **St Eligius**, who acknowledged the supremacy of the reigning Pope. 
-  * +  * **Germany and Bavaria**  honour **St Boniface**—originally known as **Winfrid**, an Englishman—as their Apostle. 
- +  * He was **commissioned by Pope Gregory II**  at the beginning of the **eighth century**, and was **consecrated bishop**  by the same Pontiff. 
-The **Anglo-Saxons**  were converted by **St Augustine**, a **Benedictine monk**, whose mission is affirmed by all historians, **Catholic and non-Catholic**  alike. \\ Who empowered Augustine to preach? \\ **Pope Gregory I**, at the close of the **sixth century**. +  * In the **ninth century**, two saintly brothers, **Cyril and Methodius**, evangelised **Russia**, **Sclavonia**, **Moravia**, and other northern regions of Europe. 
- +  * They faithfully **acknowledged the authority of Pope Nicholas I**, and of his successors **Adrian II**  and **John VIII**.
-  * +
- +
-**St Remigius**  established the faith in **France**  toward the end of the **fifth century**, while in **full communion with the See of Peter**. +
-  * +
- +
-**Flanders**  received the Gospel in the **seventh century**  from **St Eligius**, who acknowledged the supremacy of the reigning Pope. +
-  * +
- +
-**Germany and Bavaria**  honour **St Boniface**—originally known as **Winfrid**, an Englishman—as their Apostle. \\ He was **commissioned by Pope Gregory II**  at the beginning of the **eighth century**, and was **consecrated bishop**  by the same Pontiff. +
-  * +
- +
-In the **ninth century**, two saintly brothers, **Cyril and Methodius**, evangelised **Russia**, **Sclavonia**, **Moravia**, and other northern regions of Europe. \\ They faithfully **acknowledged the authority of Pope Nicholas I**, and of his successors **Adrian II**  and **John VIII**.+
  
 This **unbroken line of missionary commission**, proceeding from or confirmed by the **See of Rome**, forms a compelling testimony to the **Papal supremacy in the Church’s evangelising mission throughout history**. This **unbroken line of missionary commission**, proceeding from or confirmed by the **See of Rome**, forms a compelling testimony to the **Papal supremacy in the Church’s evangelising mission throughout history**.
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 So it is likewise with the **Popes**. Their **paternal authority**  has been resisted only by **undutiful sons**, weary of bearing the yoke of the Gospel. So it is likewise with the **Popes**. Their **paternal authority**  has been resisted only by **undutiful sons**, weary of bearing the yoke of the Gospel.
  
-  * +  * **Photius**, the instigator of the **Greek schism**, remained **obedient to the Pope**  until **Pope Nicholas I**  refused to acknowledge his **usurped authority**. 
- +  * **Henry VIII**, once a vigorous defender of the Pope's supremacy, turned against **Clement VII**  only after the Pontiff declined to **sanction his adulterous union**. 
-**Photius**, the instigator of the **Greek schism**, remained **obedient to the Pope**  until **Pope Nicholas I**  refused to acknowledge his **usurped authority**. +  * **Martin Luther**, too, was at first professedly submissive to the Holy See—until **Pope Leo X**  condemned his errors.
-  * +
- +
-**Henry VIII**, once a vigorous defender of the Pope's supremacy, turned against **Clement VII**  only after the Pontiff declined to **sanction his adulterous union**. +
-  * +
- +
-**Martin Luther**, too, was at first professedly submissive to the Holy See—until **Pope Leo X**  condemned his errors.+
 You cannot, dear reader, profess to be a **loyal citizen of the United States**  while at the same time denying the **constitutional authority of its President**. Likewise, if **the Bishop of Rome is appointed not by man but by Jesus Christ**, the **President of the Christian commonwealth**, then you cannot claim to be a **true citizen of the Church**  so long as you **reject the legitimate supremacy of its Divinely constituted Head**. You cannot, dear reader, profess to be a **loyal citizen of the United States**  while at the same time denying the **constitutional authority of its President**. Likewise, if **the Bishop of Rome is appointed not by man but by Jesus Christ**, the **President of the Christian commonwealth**, then you cannot claim to be a **true citizen of the Church**  so long as you **reject the legitimate supremacy of its Divinely constituted Head**.
  
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 ---- ----
  
-¹⁶⁸ Socrates, //Ecclesiastical History//, Book II, Chapter XV.+**Reference: **¹⁶⁸ Socrates, //Ecclesiastical History//, Book II, Chapter XV.
  
 ¹⁶⁹ Theodoret, //Epistle 113//. ¹⁶⁹ Theodoret, //Epistle 113//.
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