Antifebronius Vindicatus, seu Suprema Romani Pontificis Potestas adversus Justinum Febronium ejusque Vindicem Theodorum a Palude iterum asserta & confirmata. Pars I English Translation: "Antifebronius Vindicated, or the Supreme Power of the Roman Pontiff, once again asserted and confirmed against Justinus Febronius and his defender Theodorus a Palude. Part I" Historical and Theological Background Who was Justinus Febronius? A pseudonym for Johann Nikolaus von Hontheim, a German theologian and auxiliary bishop of Trier. In 1763, he published De statu ecclesiae et legitima potestate Romani pontificis, which criticized papal supremacy and advocated for a more conciliarist or episcopalist view (limiting papal authority in favor of collective episcopal power). His ideas formed the basis of Febronianism, part of the broader Gallicanism movement, opposing central papal authority. What is Antifebronius Vindicatus? A counter-reformation treatise defending ultramontanism, which upholds the absolute supremacy of the pope, especially over national churches and bishops. This work argues against Febronianism, aiming to re-establish the pope’s universal jurisdiction and doctrinal authority. Who is Theodorus a Palude? Possibly a symbolic or pseudonymous figure, or an actual commentator who tried to defend Febronianism. The author of Antifebronius Vindicatus targets both Febronius (Hontheim) and his intellectual supporters. Purpose and Structure of the Work Part I suggests that this is the first in a series, likely focusing on theological foundations of papal supremacy. The structure would typically follow: Exposition of Febronian arguments. Refutation using scripture, Church Fathers, councils, and canon law. Assertion of orthodox ultramontane Catholic doctrine. Importance in Church History Part of a larger 18th-century debate within Catholicism about the nature of Church governance. Influential in the lead-up to the First Vatican Council (1869–1870), which defined papal infallibility. Reflects tensions between emerging modern nationalisms and centralized ecclesiastical authority.