SALSMANS, JOSEPH. — Jesuit, moral theologian, born at
Antwerp on 2 September 1873, died at Malines on 19 January 1944.
He entered the Order in 1891 and, in 1907, was appointed to the
chair of moral theology at Louvain, succeeding, after an interval of
7 years, his uncle, Fr. E. Génicot. He taught for 29 years, training
a good number of Jesuits and members of other congregations for the
delicate office of confessor and spiritual director. From 1936
to 1942 he was superior at Malines; thereafter he devoted himself to
various ministries.
A lively, clear, methodical teacher, he knew well how to distinguish
the essential from the accessory; he expressed himself in easy and
concise forms and employed practical principles, rich in experience.
He undertook the successive editions of his uncle’s *Institutiones
theologiae moralis*, from the 6th to the 15th (Brussels 1908–42; he
died while preparing the 16th), continually revising the text,
updating it, and implementing, even in its typographical presentation,
his fine teaching qualities. He likewise updated the 2 vols. of the
Casus conscientiae, from the 4th to the 7th ed. (ibid. 1932–38). He
also published numerous works on moral subjects in order to reach the
most diverse circles: e.g., *Rechtelijke Pflichtenleer. Deontologia
iuridica (ibid. 1914, 3rd ed. 1937); Geneeskundige Pflichten-
leer. Deontologia medica (ibid. 1919, 4th ed. 1935); Pfli-
chtenboekje voor Ziekenverpleging* (deontology for nurses, ibid. 1927,
5th ed. 1944); Over Pharmaceutische Zedehleer (deontology for
pharmacists, ibid. 1932); De index en de herkelijke Boekenwetten
(ibid. 1921, 3rd ed. 1939); Biechthoeren (for confessors, ibid. 1933),
etc., as well as numerous articles in various cultural periodicals.