(iii)
St. Irenaeus of Lyons was delegated by the Church of Lyons to
take to Pope St. Eleutherius letters concerning the Montanist
troubles (c. 178 AD); and interceded with Pope St. Victor I
concerning the Paschal observance (c. 190-191 AD).
(iv)
Rome formally condemned Montanism in 212 AD.
(v)
The Priscillianists petitioned Pope Damasus for support (c. 381-
382 AD).
(vi)
St. Prosper of Aquitaine traveled to Rome to obtain from Pope
Celestine a condemnation of the semi-Pelagians (c. 430-431 AD).
(vii)
Pope St. Leo I condemned the Monophysite heresy in 451 AD.
These examples are but a few. A more detailed study would reveal many
more instances of Papal intervention. One thing is certain, both in the
Empire and in the early Church all roads led to Rome.
The Fathers
St. Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians Address (c.
98 AD)
“The Church of God which sojourns in Rome to the Church of God which
sojourns in Corinth.
...
Owing to the sudden and repeated calamities and
misfortunes which have befallen us, we must acknowledge that we have
been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the matters in dispute
among you.”
St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies 3, 3, 2 (c. 180 AD)
“…by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and
most ancient Church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the
two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul, that Church which has the
tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been
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