Publisher's Notices

The little works published by Rev. Father Merkelbach, O.P., in the collection Quaestiones Pastorales, have been universally received with gratitude and approved with many praises.

This volume brings together and develops, somewhat more than general treatises of morals do, the questions relating to abortion, surgical interventions, and the administration of baptism. In these matters, which give rise to so many anguishing cases of conscience, one will learn with great interest the opinion of the eminent professor, whose fineness of analysis and rigor of reasoning are well enough known. He solidly proves the severe solutions proposed by the Church; he very happily refuses to proclaim a certain obligation when it cannot be proved in a sufficient manner.

J. Salsmans, S.J., Nouvelle Revue Theologique.

The doctrine in general is safe, the exposition clear and ordered, the end intended by the Author excellent. The little work will certainly prove useful, especially to priests who exercise the care of souls. We gladly recommend it.

Felice M. Capello, S.J., Gregorianum.

The doctrines are clearly set forth, the arguments summarily but solidly proposed, the solutions frankly given. And we shall open this work with the certainty that we shall find what we are seeking. For everything is there that ought to be there, and there is more than one believed one would find. All kinds of penitents are reviewed, from children, the simple, occasionaries, the relapsed, the habitual, the sick, and so forth, up to the abnormal, the devout, the contemplatives, and so forth. The author profits from these diverse questions to sketch little special treatises: concerning contemplation and its degrees, concerning the morality of dances and dress, absolution of the excommunicated, temperaments. How many instructive things professors of pastoral theology do not have time to develop before their students! Here this is done by a master. Let confessors consult it: they will not regret it.

G. Kiselstein, Revue Ecclesiastique de Liege.

A truly excellent pastoral-theological treatment concerning the administration of the Holy Sacrament of Penance is given to us by Father M.... Through his clear expositions and sound judgment this book receives a value of its own, of great use for every confessor.

Studien.

Very Reverend Father,

It is with lively gratitude that I have received your book De Poenitentiae Ministro; thank you for having sent it to me, and thank you also for having published it. I am persuaded that it is worthy of your earlier works.

Your studies of pastoral theology will thus constitute a whole of the very first value. I wish for your books the broadest and most lasting influence.

• J. E. Cardinal Van Roey, Archbishop of Mechlin.

They are both pastoral treatises, and will be acceptable to all shepherds of souls. The former deals with the confessor's treatment of various classes of penitents, much as St. Alphonsus did so well in the Homo Apostolicus. Father Merkelbach has given us the benefit of wide reading and a long experience. The second monograph deals with the confessor himself, his powers, jurisdiction, reservation, the Seal, etc. Though the seminarist will hardly have time to read them with all his other work, the priest on the mission should find time to do so.

The Month.

Like the two volumes which preceded it, this one is a summary of dogmatic and moral doctrine, and at the same time a precious manual of pastoral theology. It is the fruit of numerous readings but also of long reflections. To everything that he touches the author gives a stamp of order and measure, and he does not declare himself satisfied until he has rendered it solid with ideas proposed, explained, defended, and coordinated. Too modestly he entitles his works Quaestiones Pastorales. Read the present work, and you will see that it lacks no aspect which could figure in an extended treatise, not even the historical apercus drawn from universally esteemed authors. Here one will find what regards the matter of the sacrament of Penance, remote matter and proximate matter, that is, the acts of the penitent: contrition, confession, and satisfaction, with the diverse questions which one is accustomed to treat concerning them.

G. Kiselstein, Revue Ecclesiastique de Liege.