ARENDT, WILHELM. - Jesuit, moral theologian, b. at Lovanio on 31 March 1852, d. at Roma on 23 Feb. 1937. He was rector of the Belgian College in Roma, where in 1889 he entered the Society of Jesus. After teaching moral theology for several years at the Gregorian University, in 1909 he was called to replace Fr Domenico Palmieri as theologian of the Sacred Penitentiary, an office which he held until 1934. He was also, until his death, consultant to the Holy Office. In both these offices he proved himself one of the most capable and distinguished collaborators, combining vast learning with the humble disposition of an obedient son of the Church.
Among his numerous works, the principal ones are: Apologeticae de aequiprobabilismo Alphonsiana historico-criticae dissertationis s. p. I. de Caigny... crisis iuxta principia Angelici Doctoris instituta...: Accedit Dissertatio scholastico-moralis pro usu moderato opinionis probabilis in concursu probabilioris a s. Alphonsio de Ligorio... (Friburgo in Br. 1897); De sacramentalibus (Roma 1900); Aequiprobabilismus ab ultimo fundamento discussus (ibid. 1909); Analysis theologico-canonica Decreti «Ne temere» de sponsalibus et matrimonio (ibid. 1909); De impotentia feminae ad generandum (ibid. 1913); Circa controversam validitatem matrimonii feminae recitae. Diatriba pro sanctitate pacti coniugalis (ibid. 1923); De absoluta habilitate sterilium ad matrimonium (ibid. 1925) (in these last three works the author advanced a particular theory of his own).