Benjamin Elbel

Benjamin Elbel (b. at Friedberg, Bavaria, in 1690; d. at Söflingen in 1756) was a German Franciscan moral theologian.

He belonged to the Strasburg Franciscan province, was lector of theology, and held high positions in the order.

Works

His major work, "Theologia moralis decalogalis et sacramentalis" (Venice, 1731), passed rapidly through several editions. A new edition was prepared 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. He applies abstract principles to strikingly practical cases, and his approach proved influential.

References

*Hurter, Nomenclator lit., IV (3rd ed.), 1635;
*Eubel, Geschichte der oberdeutschen Minoritenprovinz (Wurzburg, 1886);
*Preface to Bierbaum's edition (mentioned above)
*CathEncy|url=http://home.newadvent.org/cathen/16037c.htm|title=Benjamin Elbel