ELBEL, BENJAMIN. - Franciscan, moral theologian, born in 1690 in Friedberg in Bavaria, died on 4 June 1756 in Söflingen near Ulm. Lecturer in theology and provincial of Strasbourg from 1735 to 1738. Probabilist, esteemed for the solidity of his doctrine and the richness of his casuistry.
Writings: *Theologia moralis decalogalis et sacramentalis per modum conferentiarum casibus practicis illustrata* (1st ed., Venice 1731; new eds. by I. Bierbaum, Paderborn 1890, 1892, 1904); *Oratio et progressus O. Min. S. Fr. ultra quinque saecula* (Munich 1732).
BIBL.: Hurter, IV, cols. 1633ff; Luther, s. V. in *Allg. deinde Biaqr.* XLVIII, p. 329; K. Hilgenheimer, s. V. in *LThK.* III, cols. 616.