Defensio Fidei Catholicae

work by Suárez

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Defensio Fidei Catholicae (Defense of the Catholic Faith) is a significant work by Francisco Suárez, a prominent Spanish Jesuit theologian and philosopher. Published in 1613, this book was written in response to Anglican theologians who supported the divine right of kings, a doctrine asserting that monarchs derive their authority directly from God.12

Suárez's work challenged this theory, arguing instead that political authority originates from the people through a social contract. He defended the natural rights of individuals and criticized the notion of slavery. King James I of England, a proponent of the divine right of kings, famously ordered Suárez's Defensio to be burned in London.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Francisco Suárez
…et Statu Religionis (1608–09) and Defensio Fidei Catholicae (1613), opposing Anglican theologians who defended the claim of kings to rule as God’s earthly representatives. This theory, the divine right of kings, was advanced in England at the time by James I, who subsequently burned Suárez’ Defensio on the steps of…
Read More
…et Statu Religionis (1608–09) and Defensio Fidei Catholicae (1613), opposing Anglican theologians who defended the claim of kings to rule as God’s earthly representatives. This theory, the divine right of kings, was advanced in England at the time by James I, who subsequently burned Suárez’ Defensio on the steps of…
Read More