Podręcznik kapucyńskiego moralisty z Münster

Abstract

A revival of the practice of moral teology in the Capuchin order falls in the second half of the 19th century owing to the reforms began by Bernard Christen. One of the most popular handbooks by Capuchin moralists is Katholische Moraltheologie by Heribert Jone. This handbook has a character of a short compendium useful for confessors to decide doubtful moral situations they come across during confessions. The arrangement of the detailed moral theology according to the order of the commandments is also confirmed by a legalist treatment of the contents whose main justification is canon law. Although in the introduction the author declares that he is going to give the virtues their due, he treats aretology rather incidentally and defines virtues as commandments concerning faith, hope and love. The handbook was held in high repute for it was short and practical and because it fundamentally decided doubtful questions. During the first 30 years the book had 41 editions in six languages altogether. Jone belonged to the Alphonsjan current although he did not refer to St. Alphons very often. Like other moralists of that period he understood morality in the aspect of obligation, stressing observing the law. In his considerations there is too little theology and too little stress on the ideal of Christian perfection.