DENZINGER, HEINRICH JOSEPH. - Catholic theologian, born at Liège on 10 Oct. 1819, died at Würzburg on 19 June 1883. He studied at Würzburg and in Rome at the German College (1841–45). Ordained priest in 1844, he was professor at Würzburg and, from 1854, full professor of dogmatic theology, an activity which he continued with great distinction in that theological faculty until his death. He effectively promoted the positive orientation in theological studies.
In his most important works he pursued the emancipation of dogmatic theology from the speculations of modern philosophy and a closer adherence to the teachings of the ecclesiastical magisterium: Vier Bücher von der religiösen Erkenntnis (2 vols., Würzburg 1856–57); and the very well-known Enchiridion Symbolorum (1st ed., ibid. 1854; subsequent editions edited and updated by Cl. Bannwart and J. B. Umberg). Various writings are polemical-critical in character. D. also edited the works of St. Bruno, bishop of Würzburg (PL 142), and the Ritus orientalium, Coptorum, Syrorum et Armenorum (2 vols., Würzburg 1863–64).