Replies

"The Bishop of Constantinople shall hold the first rank after the Bishop of Rome, because Constantinople is the new Rome".

Council of Constantinople (Second General Council, Canon 3, (381 AD).

The purely human reason of Rome's ancient authority, suggested by this canon, was never admitted by the Apostolic See, which always based its claim to supremacy on the succession of St. Peter. Nor did Rome easily acknowledge this unjustifiable reordering of rank among the ancient patriarchates of the East. It was rejected by the papal legates at Chalcedon. St. Leo the Great (Ep. cvi in P.L., LIV, 1003, 1005) declared that this canon has never been submitted to the Apostolic See and that it was a violation of the Nicene order

Catholic Encyclopedia - First Council of Constantinople

"The purely human reason of Rome's ancient authority, suggested by this canon, was never admitted by the Apostolic See"

Council of Rome, [382 AD].

(1). "Although the Catholic Churches diffused throughout the world are but one bridal chamber of Christ, yet the Holy Roman Church has been set before the rest by no conciliar decrees, but has obtained the primacy by the voice of our Lord and Savior in the gospel, (Mathew 16:18, etc.)"

Council of Rome, 'Decretum Galasianum', [382 AD].

Council of Sardica, (343 AD) - convoked by the Emperors Constans and Constantius at the urgent entreaty of Pope Julius to correct the Arian heresies.

(2). "For this will appear best and fittest, that the priests of the lord from all the provinces should report to the head, that is, to the See of Peter the apostle".

Letter of the Council of Sardica to Pope Julius I, [342 AD].

(3). "Bishop Gaudentius said: 'A rider, if you will agree, to this very holy decision has been made: When a bishop has been deposed by the judgement of the bishops living in neighboring places and has---let another bishops on no account be ordained in his stead--except the case shall have been determined by the judgment of the Bishop of Rome".

Council of Sardica, Canon 4 [342 AD].

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, [ 2nd century ]

(4). "Ignatius Theophorus to the church on which the majesty of the most high Father and of Jesus Christ, His only Son, had his mercy; to the church beloved and enlightened by the faith and charity of Jesus Christ, our God, through the will of Him Who has willed all things tht exist--the Church in the place of the country of the Romans that holds the primacy. I salute you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father".

Saint Ignatius of Antioch: 'Salutation of Letter to the Romans', [2nd century].

Pope Siricius, to the Bishop of Tarragona, 385 AD

(5). "We have, I think, dearest brother, disposed of all the questions which...you reported to the Roman Church as to the head of your body. No priest is free to be ignorant of the statutes of the Apostolic See and the venerable provisions of the canons".

Pope Siricius: 'Decratal Letter to Himerius, Bishop of Tarragona, 20 [Feb. 10, 385 AD].

Saint Jerome, 4th century

(6). "Away with jealously of the Roman preeminence, away with ambition! I speak to the successor of the fisherman and to the disciple of the cross. I follow no one as cheif save Christ, but I am joined in communion with your blessedness, that is, with the see of Peter. Upon that rock I know the Church is built"

Council of Rome, 'Decretum Galasianum', [382 AD].

Letter of the Council of Sardica to Pope Julius I, [342 AD].

Council of Sardica, Canon 4 [342 AD].

Saint Ignatius of Antioch: 'Salutation of Letter to the Romans', [2nd century].

Pope Siricius: 'Decratal Letter to Himerius, Bishop of Tarragona, 20 [Feb. 10, 385 AD].

Saint Jerome: 'Letters, 15. (to Pope Damasus - 4th century.