Benjamin Elbel

Benjamin Elbel

A first-class authority in moral theology, b. at Friedberg, Bavaria, in 1690; d. at Söflingen in 1756. He belonged to the Strasburg Franciscan province, was lector of theology, and held high positions in the order. His classical work, "Theologia moralis decalogalis et sacramentalis" (Venice, 1731), passed rapidly through several editions, and has recently been brought up to date by Irenaeus Bierbaum, O.F.M., under the title "Theologia moralis per modum conferentiarum auctore clarissime P. Benjamin Elbel. . ." (3 vols., Paderborn, 1891-92). Elbel advocates probabilism. His doctrine is sound and solid; his style simple and unassuming. He shows admirable facility in giving exact and lucid expression to abstract principles, and in applying them to strikingly practical cases. The eminent qualities of his work have elicited praise from all theologians. It is constantly referred to by St. Alphonsus, and has been largely copied by modern writers.

HURTER, Nomenclator lit., IV (3rd ed.), 1635; EUBEL, Geschichte der oberdeutschen Minoritenprovinz (Wurzburg, 1886); see also preface to Bierbaum's edition (mentioned above).

THOMAS PLASSMANN