LEHMKUHL, AUGUST. — Jesuit, moral theologian, born at Hagen (Westphalia) on 23 September 1834, died at Valkenburg (Holland) on 23 June 1918. Professor of Sacred Scripture and dogmatic theology, and subsequently of moral theology, at Maria Laach and, after his exile from Germany, at Ditton-Hall (England), from 1880 onward he was relieved of teaching duties so that he could devote himself to writing.
Besides his collaboration with various periodicals devoted to culture (Stimmen aus Maria Laach, American ecclesiastical review, Der Katholik) and with various Catholic encyclopedias, in the field of moral theology his Theologia moralis (2 vols., Freiburg im Br. 1883) deserves mention; it went through numerous editions and became, so to speak, the standard work for courses in moral theology, supplemented by the Casus conscientiae (2 vols., ibid. 1902), which were likewise widely circulated. L.’s principal merit lies in having applied, clearly and decisively, the principles of moral theology to the new problems and questions arising in modern times; his advice and opinions were sought and heeded throughout the world. One may also add: Probabilismus vindicatus (ibid. 1906), a statement of the system he followed and defended. In the field of sociology he published various writings, all intended not to stifle modern achievements, but to channel them along the proper path of moral principles: Arbeitsvertrag und Streik (ibid. 1891); Die soziale Not und der kirchliche Einfluss (ibid. 1892); Die soziale Frage und die Staatsgewalt (ibid. 1892); Die internationale Regelung der sozialen Frage (ibid. 1893). In the ascetical field, his principal work remains: Der Christ im betrachtenden Gebet (4 vols., ibid. 1916), to which the following form a worthy crown: Der Herz-Jesu-Monat (ibid. 1861); Der christliche Arbeiter (ibid. 1895); Das Herz des göttlichen Menschenfreundes (ibid. 1900). He also edited new editions and versions of earlier works; the following may be mentioned: J. Schneider, Manuale sacerdotum (Regensburg 1885); L. da Ponte, Meditationes (6 vols., Freiburg im Br. 1889–90); J. Reuter, Neoconfessarius (ibid. 1905); he edited the Bibliotheca ascetica mystica, published by Herder in Freiburg.