Quotes:Busembaum, Hermann

Zirkoff, Boris

Busembaum, Hermann. Moral theologian, b. at Notteln, Westphalia, 1600; d. at Münster, Jan. 31, 1668. Entered the Soc. of Jesus in his 19th year. Taught the classics, philosophy and moral and dogmatic theology in various houses of the order. Rector of the colleges of Hildesheim and Münster. “His prudence, keenness of intellect, firmness of will, large-heartedness, and tact combined to form a rare character. These natural gifts were heightened by a singular innocence of life and constant communion with God.” (Cath. Encycl.) Became confessor and adviser of Christoph Bernhard von Galen, Prince-Bishop of Münster. His principal theological work, Medulla theologiae moralis facili ac perspicua methodo resolvens casus conscientiae ex variis probatisque auctoribus concinnata, appeared either in 1645 or 1650, and soon became a classic, going through forty editions in the life-time of the author. It was printed in all the great centres of the Catholic world, and was used for over two centuries as a textbook in numberless seminaries. Claudius Lacroix wrote a Commentary on this work. According to the Cath. Encycl., the Medulla “proclaimed its author to be a man gifted in a superlative degree with the moral instinct and the powers of a great teacher.” Busembaum, however, was attacked and accused of teaching a doctrine subversive of authority and of the security of kings. In defending him and his teachings, the Cath. Encycl. endeavours to “give full assurance of Busembaum’s orthodoxy and authority,” and declares the morality taught in his work to be identical with that of the Church.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 9, p. 408