ERBERMANN, VITUS. – German controversialist, born into a Lutheran family at Rentweinsdorf (Bavaria) on 25 May 1597, died at Mainz on 8 April 1675. After converting, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1620. For 27 years he was professor of philosophy, dogmatic theology, moral theology, and controversial theology; thereafter he directed the Pontifical Seminary of Fulda for 7 years. His long teaching experience, endowing him with broad learning, rigorous logic, and rare clarity of exposition, made him a formidable opponent of the errors of his time. He fought with particular effectiveness against syncretism, which aimed to reconcile the innovations of the reformers with the immutable principles of Catholicism. He wrote: Anatomia Calixtina (Mainz 1644); Irenicon catholicum (2 vols., there 1645–46); Interrogationes apologeticus (Würzburg 1651); Examen examinis Couringiani (there 1655); Anti-Musaens, i. e. parallela Ecclesiae verae et falsee (there 1659); Anti-Musaens pars altera, (there 1661); Nervi sine mole (there 1661); In difesa del Bellarmico; Aserta de fide divina (there 1665); Trophæa Romana S. Catholicae Ecclesiae (Mainz 1672).
ERBERMANN, VITUS
BIBL.: I. N. Seidl, s. v., Kircheides, IV, cols. 747–48; Hutter, III, cols. 162–103; Sommerwogel, III, cols. 407–10; J. Brucker, s. V. in DThC, V, cols. 390–400; G. Schroeder, s. V. in Cath. Ent., V, p. 416; L. Koch, s. V. in LThK, III, col. 730. Vito Zolini
Cite this article
“ERBERMANN, VITUS.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. V (1950), p. 307. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/erbermann-vitus.