Publisher's Notices

The little works published by R. P. Merkelbach, O.P., in the collection Pastoral Questions were everywhere received with grateful mind and approved by many praises. Concerning this let certain testimonies be reported:

The aim of our Review does not permit us a detailed examination of this little work. But the importance of the subject, and the truly masterly manner in which it is treated there, induce us to recommend it also to the Italian clergy. All know that questions of this kind are, as St. Alphonsus de Liguori wrote, "the more frequent and more abundant matter of confessions and that on account of which a greater number of souls slip down into hell," and therefore that there is for all confessors an extreme necessity of being perfectly instructed in it.

(Civilta Cattolica, 1926, p. 450.)

A work of great clearness in its terminology, of true solidity in its pastoral and penitential practice, and in which we find - what is too often lacking in similar works - the physiological and moral notions necessary to the confessor.

(P. Hourat, Bull. Circulaire, August 1927.)

...His chapter on the causes of and remedies of carnal sins is well-timed, and will be especially valuable for confessors and directors of youth.

(The Month, 1926, p. 476.)

Brief, clear, methodical: the first qualities of a summary which the author wished, as far as possible, to be complete so that it might be practical. Happy choice of preliminary anatomical and physiological notions: here one finds details ordinarily passed over in silence, and nevertheless indispensable. We cannot note all the particulars worthy of praise in this work: we would never finish.

(Collationes Namurc., 1927, p. 213.)

The treatise On Chastity, while being complete, remains brief, as befits a work having above all a pastoral purpose. It has as its object chastity in marriage as well as in celibacy; it does not omit studying the causes and remedies of lust.

(Collationes Tornacenses, 1927, p. 47.)

This volume gathers 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 distressing cases of conscience, one will learn with great interest the opinion of the eminent professor, whose delicacy of analysis and rigor of reasoning are sufficiently 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 theol., 1928, p. 71.)

We do not hesitate in the least to recommend warmly the acquisition of this fine fascicle to all priests, for whom it will be a sure guide in all the difficulties which can come out to meet them in the exercise of their sacred ministry.

(Estudis Franciscans, 1927, p. 118.)

One will be glad to find gathered here all the practical questions having relation to embryology and which are usually scattered in various treatises of moral theology, for example the questions relative to abortion, embryotomy, Caesarean operation, and the other surgical interventions of the same order, those which have regard to the administration of Baptism to immature fetuses or even in the womb of the mother.

(Collationes Tornacenses, 1927, p. 47.)

Here again one finds the qualities which we noted in the first volume of these pastoral questions (see Collat. Namurc., XXI, 213). Exact recalling of the scientific data indispensable for the understanding of moral problems relative to the existence of the "unborn"; clear statements of the principles by which the solutions must be inspired; the solutions themselves firmly expressed; a manifest concern to avoid everything which would resemble an escape, where others seem to wish to sidestep... so many reasons recommending this work to the attention of serious readers.

(Collectiones Namurc., 1928, p. 321.)

The doctrine in general is sound, the exposition clear and ordered, the end intended by the Author excellent. The booklet will certainly be useful, especially to priests who exercise the care of souls. We willingly recommend it.

(Felice M. Capello, S.J., Gregorianum, 1929, p. 282.)

Most 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 previous works.

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

25 April 1928.

• J. E. Card. Van Roey, Archbishop of Malines.

The learned Author, professor of Theology at Louvain, sets forth in it, with depth and clarity, both on the speculative and on the practical side, the questions of moral and pastoral theology which concern the jurisdiction and duties of the confessor, very important questions which are customarily developed too briefly in common scholastic treatises of moral Theology.

(Osservatore Romano, 9 March 1929.)

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. The chapters on Contemplatives are, we think, particularly helpful to confessors, and 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. We look forward to other works on the subject, promised by the scholarly author.

(The Month, August 1929, p. 184.)

Like the two volumes which preceded it, this one is a sum of dogmatic and moral doctrine, at the same time as a precious manual of pastoral theology. It is the fruit of numerous readings but also of long reflections. To everything which he touches the author gives a stamp of order and measure, and he does not declare himself satisfied until he has rendered it massive with ideas proposed, explained, defended, and coordinated. Too modestly he entitles his works Pastoral Questions. Read the present work, and you will see that no aspect is lacking in it which could figure in an extended treatise, not even historical surveys drawn from universally esteemed authors. One will find here 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, Rev. Eccles. de Liege, 1929, p. 398.)

In various fascicles, M. publishes the most important doctrinal pieces of pastoral theology. The fascicles are essentially a welcome compilation of the teachings set forth by various authors.

(Zeitschrift fur kathol. Theolog., 1929, p. 457.)

All sorts of questions, otherwise divided among various treatises and sometimes touched on only in passing, we find here systematically ordered and discussed more fully, with reference to the best authors. This is indeed the great merit of this series.

(Studien, August 1929.)

...A series of pastoral-theological brochures which, in our opinion, is especially and also more than worthy of the particular attention of the clergy engaged in ministry... The firm, clear printing, with alternation of ordinary type, bold type, and italic type, corresponds to the content.

The Writer shows himself in these brochures an excellent theologian, whose works, simultaneously theoretical and practical, deserve the highest recommendation.

(M. van Grinsven, C.SS.R. - Nederlandsche Katholieke stemmen, February 1929, p. 44 sq.)

The Manager:

P. Rutten.

Printing House Veritas, Mont-Saint-Amand (Ghent), Belgium.