Western Civilization I / Unit 8 WC1 0712 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Bishops, Dioceses, Charity, and the Bishop of Rome
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The idea
Bishops ruled priests and deacons; archbishops sat in provincial capitals; the diocese copied the imperial map. Charity for the poor drove conversion. The bishop of Rome, one among several, claimed the Petrine succession and took six centuries to win the West.
In practice
Pope means father; the keys to Peter.
Where people slip
The later "proof" of perpetual supremacy is the anchor's scare-quoted phrase, attributed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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