The Biblical and Patristic Roots of the Papacy

Parish Events / / 2 minutes of reading

The Biblical and Patristic Roots of the Papacy

Session Notes

Session One: The Biblical Foundations of the Papacy

Session Two: The Patristic Foundations of the Papacy

Few teachings of the Catholic Church are as distinctive—and as often misunderstood—as the doctrine of the Papacy. For Catholics, the Pope is not merely a figurehead or religious leader, but the successor of Saint Peter, to whom Christ entrusted a unique pastoral and apostolic role within His Church. But how well do we understand the foundations of this belief?

 
This two-part series, The Biblical and Patristic Roots of the Papacy, aims to explore the origin and development of the Petrine office by returning to its earliest sources: Sacred Scripture and the witness of the early Church Fathers.
 
In Part I, we will examine the biblical evidence for the primacy of Peter, focusing especially on key texts such as Matthew 16, Luke 22, and John 21, and exploring the covenantal and kingdom-based context of Peter’s role. We will consider how the structure of the Davidic Kingdom prefigures the office of the Pope and how Jesus establishes a visible and enduring leadership for His Church.
 
In Part II, we will trace how the early Church understood and lived out this teaching. Drawing from the writings of saints, bishops, and theologians of the first centuries—men like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Augustine—we will see that the idea of Roman primacy is not a later invention, but a reality acknowledged and defended within the life of the Church from the beginning.
 
Through this study, participants will be invited not only to deepen their theological understanding but to appreciate more fully the gift of unity and apostolic continuity found in the Church Christ established. Whether Catholic or simply curious, this series offers a prayerful and historical exploration of one of the most foundational aspects of Catholic faith and life.
 

Choose Your Session

📅 Thursdays: 19:00 – 20:30 (26 June – 3 July), doors open at 18:40
📅 Fridays: 09:30– 11:00 (27 June – 4 July), optional Mass at 08:30
Both sessions cover the same material—attend whichever fits your schedule!

sign up here!

What You’ll Need

📖 A Bible
📘 Catechism of the Catholic Church (Recommended but not required)

Cost

There is no cost to attend. Later in the series, participants will have the opportunity to anonymously contribute toward the expenses.

Each session concludes with a quiet prayer time in the church, following the method of Lectio Divina. This allows space to reflect and encounter God’s Word personally.

Oratory
Oratory