MERKELBACH, BENOÎT-HENRI. - Dominican moral theologian, b. at Tongres (Belgium) on 6 Jan. 1871, d. at Louvain on 25 July 1942. Ordained priest at Liège (1894), he graduated at Louvain and taught at the Seminary of Liège (1908–17). He entered religious life at La Sarte (1917), was professor of moral theology at Louvain, then in Rome at the Angelicum (1929–36), and finally again at Louvain. An eminent moral theologian, contributor to various journals, and revered teacher, he upheld the scientific character of moral theology.
Among his various works may be mentioned: Summa theologiae moralis (Paris 1931–33, 5th ed., ibid. 1947); Tractatus de beatissima V. Maria Matre Dei etc. (ibid. 1939), and various pamphlets on moral questions: De castitate et luxuria (Liège 1926, etc.); De embryologia (ibid. 1927, etc.); De variis poenitentium categoris (ibid. 1928, etc.); De poenitentiae ministro (ibid. 1928, etc.); De partibus poenitentiae etc. (ibid. 1928, etc.); De variis peccatis in sacramentali confessione medendis (ibid. 1935); De embryologia et de sterilizatione (ibid. 1937).