announced to men by the Apostles. For with this Church, because of its
superior origin, all Churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the
whole world; and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained
the Apostolic tradition.”
Tertullian, The Demurrer Against the Heretics 22 (c. 200 AD)
“Was anything hidden from Peter, who was called the Rock whereon the
Church was to be built: who obtained the keys of the kingdom of heaven,
and the power of loosing and of binding in heaven and on earth.”
St. Cyprian of Carthage, Letter to all his People 43 (40), 5 (251 AD)
“There is one God and one Christ, and one Church, and one Chair founded
on Peter by the word of the Lord. It is not possible to set up another altar
or for there to be another priesthood besides that one altar and that one
priesthood. Whoever has gathered elsewhere is scattering.”
St. Pope Julius I, Acknowledging Your Letter [contained in St.
Athanasius’ Apology Against the Arians 35] (341 AD)
“And above all, why was nothing written to us about the Church of the
Alexandrians? Are you ignorant that the custom has been to write first to
us, and then for a just decision to be passed from this place?”
St. Jerome, Letter to Pope Damasus 15, 2 (inter 374-379 AD)
“I speak with the successor of the fisherman and the disciple of the Cross.
Though I acknowledge none as first except Christ, I am joined in
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