Translator's Preface

WE present herewith an English version of Henry Denzinger's Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et morum, a handbook of articles of faith and morals. It is to be noted that Clement Bannwart, S.J., is responsible for the tenth edition, John Baptist Umberg, S.J., for the 18th through the 20th, and Charles Rahner, S.J., for the 28th, 29th, and 30th editions.

Every effort has been made to present an accurate as well as a readable translation. We have followed the basic principles usually accepted in this age for producing scientific translations: close adherence to the original in all matters pertaining to style, insofar as accuracy and smooth English permit. It is our belief that such adherence to the original will make not only for greater accuracy but for crispness and vitality in the translation.

It is our hope that this work will increase among English-speaking people both the knowledge of our faith and the appreciation of its continuity from the days of our Lord to our own times. Perhaps it is not too much to hope that it will also bring out more sharply the role played by the Fathers of the Church in the establishment and formulation of the basic dogmas of the faith.

Certainly we do not wish that this English version replace the original Latin and Greek, but we feel that there is great need of this translation in the institutions of higher learning in English speaking countries, where unfortunately a working knowledge of Greek no longer exists, and a practical knowledge of Latin is fast disappearing, but where, most fortunately, a desire for a systematic knowledge of theology is increasing daily. In fact, it may be said that an intense desire for a knowledge of theology is characteristic not only of the students of our institutions of higher education but in general of persons of cultivated taste in our age.

I wish to thank the Very Reverend Joseph C. Fenton, professor of dog-