Original sentence: Early church lists place him as the second or third bishop of Rome after Saint Peter.Early succession lists name Clement as the first, second, or third successor of Saint Peter as bishop of Rome
Edited sentence: Early church lists place him as the second or third bishop of Rome after Saint Peter, but the meaning of this evidence is unclear.Early succession lists name Clement as the first, second, or third successor of Saint Peter.However, the meaning of his inclusion in these lists is unclear.While there were presbyter-bishops as early as the first century  there is no evidence for monarchical episcopacy in Rome at such an early date.While there were presbyters (Greek for elders), referred to also as bishops (Greek for overseers) as early as the first century, "there is no evidence for monarchical episcopacy in Rome at so early a date"