MUËLLER, ERNST MARIA. – Moral theologian, b. at Irritz (South Moravia) on 30 Feb. 1822, d. at Linz on 28 Sept. 1888. A priest, in 1846 he became professor of pedagogy and from 1857 to 1868 of moral theology at the University of Vienna; from 1863 he was also rector of the major seminary in Vienna. In 1885 he was appointed bishop of Linz, a position he held until his death. He is one of the most renowned German moralists of the last century.
The work to which his name is attached is the Theologia moralis (Vienna 1868–76, 3 vols.): solid in its treatment, it is distinguished by the pious inspiration that permeates II. The three volumes went through several editions even after the author’s death: the first reached its 10th ed. in 1923, edited by I. Seipel and J. Ujčić; the second its 9th ed. in 1925, edited by A. Schmuckenschläger; the third its 8th ed. in 1914, edited by I. Seipel.