ABSTRACT
Landmarks in early papal history c. 91–101 Papacy of Clement I, author of the document I Clement sent to Corinth to resolve a dispute about authority. c. 125–136 Papacy of the Greek Telesphoros, the only second-century pope whose martyrdom can be confirmed. c. 189–198 Papacy of the African Victor I, who insisted on the Roman date for the celebration of Easter. 217 The first disputed election for Bishop of Rome when Callistus I was opposed by Hippolytus (the first anti-pope). 235 Abdication of Pontian (28 Sept.). The first Bishop of Rome known to have abdicated (after his arrest and deportation by the new Emperor). 236–250 Papacy of Fabian, a major reformer and administrator. 260–268 Papacy of Dionysius. Like Fabian, an important administrator and reformer. 308 Election of Marcellus ended the longest vacancy (4 years) in papal history. 384–399 Papacy of Siricius. He ruled that no bishop could be consecrated without the knowledge of Rome. He was the first pope to issue decretals on the lines of Imperial edicts. Sources: Richard P. McBrien (ed.) The HarperCollins Encyclopaedia of Catholicism (1995); Greg Tobin, Selecting the Pope (2004).
