Moral Theology: Its Method and Masters
Thomas Tamburini
Drawn from the authors' own words; every quotation links to its place.
Jesuit · 1591–1675
In the Index: Tamburini; Tamburini, Tommaso
In Prümmer's Catalogue and Haringer's Index
- “Tamburini, Thomas, S.J., Sicilian (1591-1675), wrote several moral works, for example Explicatio Decalogi, Methodus expeditae confessionis. All the moral works of this author appeared several times, especially under the care of Ant. Zaccaria, 3 folio volumes, Venice 1755. Tamburini is indeed very learned, but too indulgent, and therefore to be read with caution. Cf. St. Alphonsus, Theol. mor. book 3, no. 645. He openly teaches that it is lawful to follow an opinion which is probably only probable, Explicat. Decalogi book 1, chapter 3, § 3, no. 8.” — Prümmer, Catalogue of authors
- “Tamburini Thomas, Sicilian, S.J., taught theology for 24 years, and afterward was made censor of books and consultor of the sacred Office. An author too benign (On the Decalogue, etc.), born 1591, died 1675.” — Haringer's index of writers (Gury-Ballerini) (p. XXX, sign read on the page)
His Moral System, as Our Authors Report It
Every report quoted in the author's own words and linked to its place; point at a name to see his words. Haringer's signs give St. Alphonsus's judgment as Haringer found it in St. Alphonsus's works (his notice, Gury-Ballerini, 1884, p. XI); a sign on a writer the 1884 editor added to the list is the editor's own, and is said to be his.
| Probabilist | |
|---|---|
| “This probabilistic doctrine being admitted, Christians can straightway abolish the greatest part of the natural, divine, and civil laws. Let them take up the books of Diana, of Zanardi, of Candidus, of Tamburini, of Escobar, of Gobat, of La-Croix, of Viva. Let them gather a most numerous catalogue of the opinions which are probably disputed on both sides concerning natural, divine, and human law.”Concina names his books as storehouses of opinions controverted on both sides, which probabilism would make laws no longer binding | Concina, Compendium II, diss. II, ch. VII, n. XII |
| Charged with laxity | |
| Counted among them by 4 of our authors | Koch-Preuss, Handbook I, the moral systems; Prümmer, Manuale I, n. 350; Tanquerey, Fundamental Moral Theology, n. 398; Merkelbach, Summa II, excursus on the moral systems |
| “Thus Caramuel, the prince of the laxists, Diana, and others. This other extreme was condemned by Innocent XI in the 3rd proposition, which said: "Generally, while relying on probability, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, however slight, provided that one does not go outside the limits of probability, we always act prudently when we do something." This proposition was excerpted to the letter from Tamburini (Dec., I, c. 3, § 3, n. 3).”Marc: the laxist proposition condemned by Innocent XI (no. 3) was taken word for word from him | Marc, Institutiones I, n. 86 |
| “Lax Probabilism, or simply Laxism, teaches that it is licit to follow not only an opinion truly and certainly probable, but also an opinion probably or slightly probable. This system indeed seems to have been taught by Thomas Tamburinus (+ 1675), who explained his opinion in this naked and crude manner: "Absolutely I think, with Salas, Vasquez, Sanchez, Merolla apud Bardi (de consc. dist. 1, c. 6, to whom add Pasq. dec. 18), that it is enough in all cases that it be established probably that an opinion is probable; for then that truth, morally certain, will be sufficiently strengthened, directing me in about this manner: I here and now act prudently, because while I probably think that this is probable, I follow that judgment in practice prudently enough.”Prümmer: lax probabilism, or laxism, seems to have been taught by him | Prümmer, Manuale I, n. 343 |
| “the opinion of Tamburini, and of those who adhere to him, is far laxer than the very proposition condemned concerning mental restrictions”Concina: his teaching that words may be uttered merely materially at will is laxer than the condemned proposition on mental restriction | Concina, Theologia V, diss. III, ch. XI, n. VI |
| “Chapter II — A census of propositions which seem lax, culled from the Casuists … IV. "I think that the Faithful are never of themselves and directly obliged, by the precepts of faith, to believe the mysteries either implicitly or explicitly by force of necessity."”Concina's censuses of lax opinions list 33 of his opinions and names him in 3 more as teaching or approving one (the first is quoted; every one is under 'Where Our Authors Discuss Him') | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. I, ch. II, n. IV |
| Too benign in his opinions | |
| “Tamburini is indeed very learned, but too indulgent, and therefore to be read with caution”Prümmer, after St. Alphonsus: very learned but too indulgent, to be read with caution | Prümmer, Catalogue of authors |
| “An author too benign”Haringer names him specially, as his notice does the milder authors: an author too benign | Haringer's index, Index of writers, p. XXX |
Where Our Authors Discuss Him
Each read in its full passage; the words quoted are the author's own. Where several authors say the same thing, one is quoted and the others follow “in nearly the same words”; point at a name to see his words.
| “Tamburini, S.J. (1675), can be cited, both in his more extended work and in his practice of ready confession and communion”Vermeersch names him among the distinguished theologians of the age before St. Alphonsus, an age he calls morbid | Vermeersch, Theologia moralis I, n. 20 |
| “Thomas Tamburini (+ 1675): Explanation of the Decalogue” | Tanquerey, Fundamental Moral Theology, n. 47 |
| “Chapter II — An inventory of propositions which seem lax … I. Fr. Thomas Tamburini, book II on the Decalogue, chapter 1, number 9, writing of faith, premises a doctrine by which he reduces to nothing the precepts of all three theological virtues.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the precepts of faith, hope and charity) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. II, ch. II, n. I |
| “Chapter II — An inventory of propositions which seem lax … II. It must now be seen what he writes of the precept of charity in the place cited by himself. He reports, at number 1, the various opinions of the Doctors in these words: The Doctors labor in assigning the time at which the Faithful is bound by obligation to elicit a positive act of love toward God; and they assign various times, as various as are the wits of men.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the precepts of faith, hope and charity) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. II, ch. II, n. II |
| “Chapter II — Lax propositions of the Casuists … II. Tamburini, book 5 on the Decalogue, chapter 1, § 3, number 29: "Can a son wish for the death of his father, or rejoice over it — not as an evil to the father (for this would be an execrable hatred), but that the son himself may enjoy the paternal inheritance?”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on charity toward the neighbor) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. III, ch. II, n. II |
| “Chapter I — First, the condemned propositions are recounted; then those which seem lax … VII. Fr. Tommaso Tamburini, book V on the Decalogue, chapter 1, § 4: "If my friend wishes me to carry little gifts and the like — namely incitements of shameful love — which he himself sends to his concubine, can I carry them without sin?”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on scandal and cooperation in sin) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. IV, ch. I, n. VII |
| “Chapter II — Lax propositions of certain Authors … I. Fr. Tommaso Tamburini, book 1 on the Decalogue, chapter 3, number 10: "We shall say below, book 2, that a Beneficiary possessing a slender benefice is not obliged, according to a probable opinion, to pay the canonical Hours. What, then, will happen, if, all things weighed, it is doubted whether a benefice is slender or not?”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on prayer and the divine office) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. VI, ch. II, n. I |
| “Chapter II — Lax propositions of certain Authors … II. The same Tamburini, book 2, method of celebrating Mass, chapter 6, number 5: "Thus he who, while hearing Mass by precept, or paying the divine office, should voluntarily turn over in his mind a philosophical question, or think about his own affairs, provided he kept an external attention — that is, provided he did not set up external distractions of the kind we spoke of at number 1 — would, according to the probable opinion stated, sufficiently fulfill the precept."”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on prayer and the divine office) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. VI, ch. II, n. II |
| “Chapter I — The condemned and lax propositions are recounted … VIII. "If you wished to redeem the loss of time, you comprehended even moderate play, and likewise play for another's sake: because you would truly be playing with a loss of time.”Concina names him in the same number as teaching or approving the lax opinion (on vows) | Concina, Compendium I, bk. III, diss. IX, ch. I, n. VIII |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Method of Confession, Book III, chap. 4, no. 5: If the confessor foresees that the penitent will not make restitution should the nullity” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. I |
| “Tamburini, Method of Confession, Book III, chap. 4, no. 5: If you foresee that the penitent will not make restitution, although you likewise observe that this” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. III |
| “Chapter II — The lax opinions of several Casuists … XVIII. Whether one who by occult compensation filches what is owed him may swear that he has received nothing? Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book VIII, tract 2, chap. 4, § 1, no. 1, answers: “That he is not a thief in conscience, nor does he sin, nor does he incur the excommunication which perchance is imposed against thieves; and that he may swear even before a judge that he has received nothing, understanding that which was not owed him (if it be already certain to him, as today it is among all); even if the thing which he takes had been consigned to him by the debtor on deposit.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on justice, restitution, occult compensation and usury) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XVIII |
| “Whether a probable opinion is matter for sale. Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book VIII, On the Decalogue, chap. 7, § 3, no. 13, proposes this question under this” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXXV |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book VIII, tract 3, chap. 8, § 4, no. 1: When there is reasonably feared a danger, or difficulty, or expense in recovering the loan, and” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XLII |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book VIII, On the Decalogue, tract 3, § 5, no. 18: I have already said that under this title of a promise not to demand back the money” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XLV |
| “The same Lessius, in the place cited, no. 90: The third mode is this. If I had destined money for trade, and they should ask a loan: concerning which mode” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XLVII |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book IX, tract 1, chap. 5, § 4, no. 2: If you have at home other money lying idle, but this which you lend you had destined for trade” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. XLVIII |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book IX, chap. 5, § 4: We have handed down certain remedies or just artifices, Book VIII, On the Decalogue, tract 3, chap. 8, no. 16, by” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. LIII |
| “The same Tamburini, in the same place, no. 18: Lessius, Book II, chap. 20, no. 100, frees himself from the same difficulty thus. Let someone lend you a” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. LIV |
| “Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book IX, tract 1, chap. 4, § 1, no. 6: The first title is, because the buyer will be without the money which he himself hands over, for” | Concina, Compendium II, bk. IX, diss. I, ch. II, n. LIX |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … X. Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book 3, On Confirmation, chapter 3, § 4, no. 2: “Nevertheless the same men do not sin, neither mortally nor venially, if, apart from contempt or something similar, they neglect it when occasion is given: because concerning this no precept appears — which is the opinion of Suárez against Cajetan and some others … thinking it to be venial.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. X |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XX. Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book On the Method of Communicating, chapter 1, § 6, no. 50: “In a case of doubt whether some words of a law import an obliging precept or a counsel, the Doctors lay down as a certain rule that they are to be reputed counsels and not precepts: and the reason is, that since the law is grave and burdensome, it is always to be understood in the kinder part for the subjects.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XX |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXI. The same Tamburini in the place cited, § 7, no. 56: “Concerning a layman there is no difficulty: for it is enough if he elicit it immediately before the taking itself: and because the taking, or eating, is substantially done when we swallow the food or send it down, but not while it is in the mouth, when the taking is only inchoate, therefore I think it most probable that it suffices that the act of contrition be made when the most sacred host is held in the mouth.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXI |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXII. The same in the same place, no. 59: “Although some with Layman assert that a priest defiled with mortal crime offends mortally if he hold out the Eucharist to the faithful, nevertheless some deservedly deny it, as Vásquez, whom de Lugo cites and follows, disputation 8, On the Sacraments in Common, section 2, because then the priest does not confect the sacrament but only dispenses what is consecrated, for which so great worthiness is by no means required.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXII |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXV. Fr. Tamburini, On the Method of Communicating, Book 1, chapter 1, § 10, no. 71: “Whether there be a case in which a man can communicate without confession, and even without contrition, and consequently in mortal sin? … So kindly are the bowels of the Lord's mercy that he does not disdain sometimes to excuse our obstinacy.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXV |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXVI. The same in the place cited, no. 72: “For from the aforesaid it is established that a priest who, the Mass having been begun in good faith, recalls himself guilty of a mortal fault, ought to elicit an act at least of what he reckons contrition.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXVI |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXVII. The same Tamburini in the same place, no. 73: “And the same will be of a layman who, being now about to receive the holy synaxis before the linen cloth, and unable under any pretext to remove himself, recalls a mortal sin and cannot be contrite.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXVII |
| “Chapter II — The lax propositions of the casuists … XXVIII. The same, Book 3, On the Method of Celebrating Mass, chapter 1, § 5, no. 15: “If a man, being a procurator that a hundred Masses, for example, be celebrated, which Masses in this city are wont to be said for, say, two hundred julii — if a man, I say, by his own industry should send or go to another city, where within the time demanded they may be said for a hundred julii — for I think it not improbable that such a procurator can retain for himself the other hundred.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist and the Mass) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. X, diss. I, ch. II, n. XXVIII |
| “Chapter I — Condemned and lax propositions are recounted which regard the remaining three sacraments of extreme unction, order, and matrimony … XI. Fr. Thomas Tamburini, Book 8, chapter 4, § 4, no. 5: “I assert secondly that all benefices — whether greater, as a cardinalate and a bishopric, or lesser, as a canonry and a chaplaincy”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on simony, benefices, marriage, chastity and temperance) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. XII, diss. I, ch. I, n. XI |
| “Chapter I — Condemned and lax propositions are recounted which regard the remaining three sacraments of extreme unction, order, and matrimony … XIII. Fr. Tamburini in the place cited, no. 8: “Since immediately before the Council seems to be content with the worthy, either first it seems by this to wish to signify by "worthier" nothing else than the worthiness of those to be elected, the comparative being taken for the positive; or secondly by a less proper locution it sets down "worthier," that it may exclude the unworthy … or lastly it speaks thirdly, when there is a competition.””Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on simony, benefices, marriage, chastity and temperance) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. XII, diss. I, ch. I, n. XIII |
| “Chapter I — Condemned and lax propositions are recounted which regard the remaining three sacraments of extreme unction, order, and matrimony … XXIII. Tamburini, Book 7, chapter 5, no. 61, page 193 in my copy: “To the betrothed de futuro it is very probably lawful without sin to have certain signs of love, such as kisses, touches, modest looks, and amatory conversations — even on account of the delight residing in them, but without danger of pollution, or of consent to it, or to copulation; but by no means immodest ones.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on simony, benefices, marriage, chastity and temperance) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. XII, diss. I, ch. I, n. XXIII |
| “Chapter I — Condemned and lax propositions are recounted which regard the remaining three sacraments of extreme unction, order, and matrimony … XLV. Tamburini, Book 5, On the Decalogue, chapter 1, § 3, no. 37: “When I grieve for another's good as it is diminutive of my own excellence, I do not grieve for another's good absolutely, but formally for my own evil, or for the diminution of my own excellence, which is evil to me.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on simony, benefices, marriage, chastity and temperance) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. XII, diss. I, ch. I, n. XLV |
| “Chapter I — Condemned and lax propositions are recounted which regard the remaining three sacraments of extreme unction, order, and matrimony … XLVI. The same Tamburini in the same place, no. 40: “And indeed St. Thomas and the other Doctors cited under letter H, when they suppose as certain that envy is a sadness by which a man grieves for another's good as it is diminutive of his own excellence, ARE TO BE UNDERSTOOD to have described envy from its effect.””Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on simony, benefices, marriage, chastity and temperance) | Concina, Compendium II, bk. XII, diss. I, ch. I, n. XLVI |
| “Chapter II — A review of condemned opinions, and of the laxer views of certain recent authors … VIII. "If you vowed to redeem lost time, you included even moderate play, and likewise playing on behalf of another — since you would truly be playing away time. You may not, however, play through another, though by watching you lose time...”Concina names him in the same number as teaching or approving the lax opinion (on vows) | Concina, Theologia IV, diss. I, ch. II, n. VIII |
| “Chapter IV — Lax, or improbable, propositions are reviewed, which not a few Casuists teach … II. "By whatever words, even those clearly and unambiguously containing an oath, it is uttered — much more so, then, must attention always be paid in the forum of conscience to the intention of the swearer, if we wish to discover whether it is truly an oath.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the oath) | Concina, Theologia V, diss. I, ch. IV, n. II |
| “Chapter IV — Lax, or improbable, propositions are reviewed, which not a few Casuists teach … IV. "I swear to you that I have not slept with your wife" — meaning by a vest [i.e., understanding "with" a garment called "vestis" rather than carnally]; "I do not have your money" — meaning, which I am willing to give you outright; "your husband, or wife, has not broken the laws of marriage" — meaning, manifestly; "I do not owe you a hundred" — meaning, in such a way that I cannot offset it against the hundred acts which you owe me.”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the oath) | Concina, Theologia V, diss. I, ch. IV, n. IV |
| “Chapter IV — Lax, or improbable, propositions are reviewed, which not a few Casuists teach … XIV. "One who, from an inveterate habit, knowingly swears falsely — does it suffice to say, 'I once swore falsely,' or will it be necessary also to add that this was from a bad habit?”Concina lists among the lax opinions of the casuists (on the oath) | Concina, Theologia V, diss. I, ch. IV, n. XIV |
In the Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)
“Thomas Tamburini”, vol. 14, by John Fox. Public domain; transcription at New Advent (which expands some of the print's abbreviations).
Moral theologian, born at Caltanisetta in Sicily, 6 March, 1591; died at Palermo 10 October, 1675. He entered the Society of Jesus when fifteen years old; there he became distinguished for extraordinary virtue and a rare talent for teaching. Alter a successful course of studies he held the professorship of philosophy four years, of dogmatic theology seven years, of moral theology seventeen years, and during thirteen years was rector of various colleges. His writings are: "Methodus expeditæ confessionis" (5 vols., Rome, 1647); "De communione" (Palermo, 1649); "Explicatio decalogi" (Venice, 1654, 1707; Milan, 1655; Munich, 1659); "De saorificio missæ" (3 vols Antwerp, 1656); "De bulla cruciata" with other works (Palermo, 1663); "Juris divini, naturalis et eccles. exposito" (3 vols., Palermo, 1659-60). All these works exhibited solidity of doctrine and elegance of style and went through several editions. Though severe towards himself, Tamburini, when deciding cases of conscience for others, was inclined to follow the milder views which he found reputable authors declaring probable. This is the basis of the accusation of laxity frequently brought against him, and led to his controversy with Vincent Baron. Tamburini published a refutation of the attacks of his adversary under the title, "Germana doctrina R.P. Th. Tamburini, S.J." In determining the value of Tamburini's works, it is well to recall the criticism of St. Alphonsus Liguori in his "Theologia Moralis": "Let us add a word about this author [Tamburini], who is not estimated by many at his full value. It cannot be denied that he was apt to consider some opinions probable which do not deserve that note; hence he must be used with caution. But when Tamburini establishes his own opinions, he shows that he is a thorough theologian and solves the questions by reducing them to their last principles. Competent judges will find that the opinions which he then sets down as the more tenable are in the majority of cases the more correct".
Sources: DE FELLER, Dict. Hist., VIII, 353; HURTER, Nomenclator, II, 270; SOMMERVOGEL, Bibliothèque, VII, 1830.