Psuedo Clementine

An extra Biblical work I will be referring to is Psuedo Clementine, a group of books thought to be associated with Clement of Rome. It describes his appointment to Peter's See or position.

 

There are a lot of facts about beliefs we can gather even if the story is false.

 

"He begins by detailing his religious questionings, his doubts about immortality, his love for celibacy, and so on."

It begs the question, how did the Emperor's cousin get selected as Peter's successor and later Become Bishop of the Roman church.

According to Catholic sources the church leaders prior to Clement were martyred.

Linus c79

Anacletus  c92

Clement became Pope/Bishop after the previous Bishop was killed under Domitian.

Did Domitian replace the rightful Bishops with a leader of his own?

This was a common practice in the Roman Empire. An example would be Annus becoming High Priest prior to Christ's death, by appointment of the Roman governor.