Saint Clement, according to tradition, was ordained by Peter himself. Some early writers, indeed, thought that Clement was Peter's immediate successor, but modern scholars agree that he is Peter's third successor or the church’s fourth pope. Saint Clement was a Roman; he was martyred--at some place away from Rome. This is about all that is known for certain of Clement's death.
Saint Clement left us a real relic of the highest value in his famous letter to the Corinthians. This epistle, which modern scholars agree is authentic, rebukes the Corinthians for a schism which had broken out in their church. Written while one of the apostles was still alive, this letter of Clement is the first great non- inspired Christian document. It is interesting that it shows the fourth pope intervening to put another apostolic church in order.