In this special episode of The Cordial Catholic, I join my good friend Suan Sonna on his YouTube channel Intellectual Catholicism to share some of my research on St. Jerome and the monepiscopate.

The monepiscopate, or the monarchical episcopate, is the idea from the Early Church that one bishop was put in charge of a church, a city, or a diocese and that this is how Christian churches were governed. This is in opposition, to what some, especially Protestants, would argue which is that these churches were ruled by a plurality or collective of priests of bishops -- a more organic, haphazard arrangement.

In this conversation, I share work that I've done tracing out the views of St. Jerome, an Early Church Father, and how he understood the origin, existence, and mandate of the monepiscopate. 

For more from Suan, check out Intellectual Catholicism on YouTube, Facebook, and as a podcast on Apple Podcasts.

For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

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Join myself and my parish priest Fr. Joseph on a pilgrimage experience to France.

This retreat-like pilgrimage takes place August 12 - 20, 2025. With Mass every day, we'll walk in the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc in Rouen, retreat to the home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore the newly restored Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris.

Visit Trinity Travel Tours for more information.

This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patreon Co-Producers. Thank you to Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William. 

Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of...

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