Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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FELIX, ANTONIUS

Procurator of Judaea (53-60). Despite a reputation for despotic rule he was uncharacteristically tolerant of Paul, who was brought before him at Caesarea, A.D. 60, accused by the Jews of disturbing the faith of their people by preaching the Christian way of life (Acts 24:1-27). Felix himself may have suffered from an uneasy conscience, because he abstained from making a judgment about Paul's guilt, even after two hearings. Eventually, he left his fate to his successor, Porcius Festus (60-62), but kept Paul in custody lest he antagonize the Jews.