Paul Gabriel Antoine
Encyclopedia
Paul Gabriel Antoine was a French Jesuit theologian.
Antoine was born at Lunéville
. At the age of fifteen he applied for admission into the Society of Jesus
, and was received 9 October 1693. On the completion of his studies, he taught humanities
for several years, first in Pont-à-Mousson, and then in Colmar
. Returning to the former town, he occupied the chair of philosophy, and later that of theology, the first edition of his Dogmatic Theology appearing in 1723, and three years later his Moral Theology in three volumes. Afterwards he was rector
of the College of Pont-à-Mousson
, where he died in his sixty-fifth year.
His Theologia universa, speculativa et dogmatica, embracing the whole field of scholastic inquiry, met with an enthusiastic reception, and at once stamped the author as one of the leading Catholic theologians of the age. It went through nine editions during his lifetime, and ten after his death. Still more flattering was the reception accorded his Theologia moralis universa, first published in Nancy in 1726, in duodecima. It has since gone through sixty editions in different countries. The Roman edition of 1747, published by Philip Carbognano, O.M., contained several additions to the original, among them chapters on Condemned Propositions, Reserved Cases
, decrees of Benedict XIV, etc. Antoine's Moral Theology was so highly esteemed by Benedict XIV that he prescribed its use by the students of the College of Propaganda
, and it was likewise received by many of the bishops throughout France and Italy. In the opinion of Jean-Pierre Gury and St. Alphonsus Liguori
, Antoine inclines too much toward the side of severity. Besides his theological works, Antoine published also several ascetical and devotional treatises.
Antoine was born at Lunéville
Lunéville
Lunéville is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and lies on the Meurthe River.-History:...
. At the age of fifteen he applied for admission into the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, and was received 9 October 1693. On the completion of his studies, he taught humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
for several years, first in Pont-à-Mousson, and then in Colmar
Colmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
. Returning to the former town, he occupied the chair of philosophy, and later that of theology, the first edition of his Dogmatic Theology appearing in 1723, and three years later his Moral Theology in three volumes. Afterwards he was rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the College of Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Population : 14,592 . It is an industrial town , situated on the Moselle River...
, where he died in his sixty-fifth year.
His Theologia universa, speculativa et dogmatica, embracing the whole field of scholastic inquiry, met with an enthusiastic reception, and at once stamped the author as one of the leading Catholic theologians of the age. It went through nine editions during his lifetime, and ten after his death. Still more flattering was the reception accorded his Theologia moralis universa, first published in Nancy in 1726, in duodecima. It has since gone through sixty editions in different countries. The Roman edition of 1747, published by Philip Carbognano, O.M., contained several additions to the original, among them chapters on Condemned Propositions, Reserved Cases
Reserved cases
Reserved cases is a term of Catholic doctrine, used for sins whose absolution is not within the power of every confessor, but is reserved to himself by the superior of the confessor, or only specially granted to some other confessor by that superior....
, decrees of Benedict XIV, etc. Antoine's Moral Theology was so highly esteemed by Benedict XIV that he prescribed its use by the students of the College of Propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
, and it was likewise received by many of the bishops throughout France and Italy. In the opinion of Jean-Pierre Gury and St. Alphonsus Liguori
Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, scholastic philosopher and theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists, an influential religious congregation...
, Antoine inclines too much toward the side of severity. Besides his theological works, Antoine published also several ascetical and devotional treatises.