Preface to This New Edition

That the Alphonsian Moral Institutions, which Father Clement Marc thirty years ago published for the first time, is a most excellent work, both by solidity of doctrine, and by abundance of matter, and by clarity of method and language, is clear from the praises of many learned men and of periodicals; it is clear also from this, that very many prelates of the Church and superiors of religious orders wished the same to be used in their seminaries and religious institutes. Hence it has come about that already fourteen copious editions have been distributed among the clergy of the whole Catholic world.

After the author had died, while he was preparing the third edition, other editors further reviewed and perfected this work according to the norm of the recent decrees of the Holy See. Since I succeeded them, it seemed good to me, employing the work of an expert confrere (to whom here I pay due thanks), to subject this fifteenth edition once again to new care, that I might adapt even more to our times a work already so excellent.

Wherefore, first indeed, I judged that various new moral questions, especially those which have arisen from the condition of society today, either should be added or treated a little more fully. Other questions, although sufficiently explained by the author for his own time, I have in some measure recast, according to the manner in which they are proposed today by the authors, so that in this way account might also be taken of the progress of moral science. Then, since the author perhaps was too sparing in bringing forward the authorities of more recent writers, I, that I might comply with the desire of our time, have gathered together in each matter several theologians, both ancient and recent, either that I might show the reader the way for a fuller study, or that I might indicate to him the opinions of others, especially of more recent writers, often adding my judgment concerning them.

As regards form, I changed a few things which would contribute to a more didactic method; I cut away other things which seemed superfluous or of little use, so that, although many new things have been added, the bulk of the work nevertheless has not increased. I judged that the same numbers were to be preserved, lest confusion arise because of too great a discrepancy, when preceding editions are used or cited. I have always cited the moral theology of St. Alphonsus according to the typical edition of Father Leonard Gaude, which was received with common applause by learned men and adorned with great praises. Finally, that all things have been exactly and accurately brought into conformity with the most recent decrees of the Apostolic See, it is scarcely necessary for me to observe.

And so the distinguished work of the illustrious Marc has indeed remained substantially the same; nevertheless this edition is entirely revised, and enlarged with many new questions.

The wishes which the author expressed in the first edition are the same also in this fifteenth edition; for which reason I judged that his preface should be brought forward here almost entire.

Rome, on the 1st day of May, 1915.