Schwane, JOSEPH, a theological writer, b. at Dors. ten in Westphalia, April 2, 1824; d. at Munster, June 6, 1892. After receiving his early education at Dorsten and Recklinghausen, he studied philosophy and theology at Munster (1843-7), and upon his ordination to the priesthood, May 29, 1847, continued his studies for two years at the universities of Bonn and Tubingen. Hereupon he became director of Count von Galen’s institute at Munster, was privatdocent in church history, moral theology, and history of dogmatics at the University of Munster (1853-9), and assistant professor (1859-67). In 1867 he was appointed professor-in-ordinary of moral theology, history of dogmatics, and symbolism, at the same time lecturing on dogmatic theology along with the aged Berlage, whom he succeeded as professor of dogmatic theology in 1881. Leo XIII honored him with the title of domestic prelate in 1890. His chief work is “Dogmengeschichte”, the pioneer Catholic work of its kind, covering the entire history of dogmatics (4 vols., I, Munster, 1862; 2nd ed., Freiburg, 1892; II, Munster, 1869; 2nd ed., Freiburg, 1895; III, Freiburg, 1882; IV, Freiburg, 1890). His larger works in the field of moral theology are: “Die theologische Lehre uber die Vertrage mit Beriicksichtigung der Civilgesetze, besonders der preussischen, allgemein deutschen and franzosischen” (Munster, 1871; 2nd ed., 1872); “Die Gerechtigkeit and die damit verwandten sittlichen Tugenden and Pflichten des gesellschaftlichen Lebens” (Freiburg, 1873); “Spezielle Moraltheologie” (Freiburg, 1878-1885). Smaller works are: “Das gottliche Vorherwissen and seine neuesten Gegner” (Munster, 1855); “De controversia, quae de valore baptismi hreticorum inter S. Stephanum Papam et S. Cyprianum agitata sit, commentatio historico-dogmatica” (Munster, 1860); “De operibus supererogatoriis et consiliis evangelicis in genere” (Munster, 1868); “Die eucharistische Opferhandlung” (Freiburg, 1889); “Ueber die scientia media and ihre Verwendung fur die Lehre von der Gnade and Freiheit” in “Tiibinger theol. Quartalschrift”, XXXII (1850), 394-459, and numerous other contributions to theological magazines.
MICHAEL OTT