AMORT, EUSEBIUS. - German theologian of the eighteenth century, born at Bibermühle, near Tölz, in Bavaria, on
15 Nov. 1692, died on 5 Feb. 1775. While still young, he entered the Order of the Canons Regular of the Lateran at the provostship of Polling. Appointed professor of philosophy in 1717 and subsequently of theology, he taught these disciplines, together with canon law, for several years at the provostship’s school. As theologian to Cardinal Lercari (1733–35), he had the opportunity to meet many notable figures. Returning to Polling, he devoted himself zealously and indefatigably to his chosen studies for 40 years.
A. wrote extensively, and not only on ecclesiastical subjects. As early as 1722 he founded a journal, Parnassus boicus, of a scientific-literary character. As a moralist, he is regarded, together with St. Alfonso de' Liguori, as the founder of «aequiprobabilism», and on this account engaged in many controversies. His writings Controversiae novae morales (Augusta 1749) and Disquisitiones dogmaticae de controversiis in theologia moralis insignibus (Venezia 1745), and especially Theologia moralis inter rigorem et laxitatem media, ibid. 1757, may be consulted. Among his other works, the following deserve mention: Theologia eclectica, moralis et scholastica (Augusta 1752 and Bologna 1753); Elementus juris canonici veteris et moderni (Ulma 1757). Of versatile intellect, more learned than profound, A. also wrote on mystical theology. Today, his most highly esteemed work, on account of the valuable information it preserves for us, is Vetus disciplina canonicorum regularium et saecularium ex documentis ineditis usque ad saeculum XVII critice et moraliter expensa (Venezia 1748).
BIBL. F.-X. Baader, Das gelehrte Bayern, Norimberga 1804; Hurter, III, p. 201; C. Toussaint, s. V. in DThC, I, coll. 1115-1116; J. Pietsch, s. V. in DHG, II, coll. 1332-33.