Summa Theologiae Moralis, vol. I: De Principiis
Benedictus Henricus Merkelbach (1871–1942)
Summa Theologiae Moralis ad mentem D. Thomae et ad normam iuris novi
First published 1935
Volume I (De principiis) of Benedictus Henricus Merkelbach's Summa theologiae moralis sets out the foundations of Catholic moral theology within a Thomistic framework. It treats human acts, conscience, law, sin, and merit in relation to the canon law of its period. The present edition follows the Paris text published by Desclée de Brouwer in 1935 and includes the Latin text with an English translation. It comprises the first volume of the three-volume Summa.
Prologus
There is no lack of good manuals of moral theology. Yet few have come forth in the past century from the Thomistic school. And those which have their origin elsewhere for the most part fall short in the method or doctrine of St. Thomas, or even in the accurate explanation and demonstration of notions and principles. Many of the moralists are more attentive to practical applications, or are content to recite the opinions of others more or less probable; and most of their works, as was said very recently, by their very brevity or the catechism-like form of questions and answers, have seemed to profess a less mature stage of science.
The return to the doctrine and method of St. Thomas, which bore such salutary fruits in metaphysics and dogmatics, did not extend to the same degree to moral theology, owing to the harmful persistent divorce between speculative and practical theology.
With these things considered, it will perhaps not be unwelcome to hear a voice from the Thomistic school which, more than could be in the wishes of some, expounds the doctrine scholastically and principally, yet within the limits of a certain moral summary.
Since, however, we affirmed again and again that the lectures which we delivered in the theological college of Louvain for the elementary course corresponded to the aforesaid end, however imperfectly and deficiently, we now intend to make them public.
According to the mind of St. Thomas, the Common Doctor; and according to the norm of the New Law, canonical and civil.
Roman law is abolished everywhere, and setting it forth in a practical work would rather generate confusion in minds than scientific utility. Therefore we look only at modern law, especially French law, which, having been elaborated earlier and being partly in force in our homeland, was in many respects the model for others, although certain most recent codes may seem more suitably shaped and more perfect. In like manner, setting aside the Decretals and the Corpus Iuris, we look only at the Code of Canon Law promulgated by Benedict XV, without however choosing to follow its order, because, however much it may suit the science of law, in moral questions all things must be adapted and subordinated to the order of theology, the supreme science. May God grant that, with the Blessed Virgin, mediatrix of all graces, as patroness, this work may be of benefit for the instruction of the clergy and the usefulness of schools. Rome, at the Angelicum College, on the festive day of the Sacred Heart, June 27, 1930. The Author.