Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma

by Dr. Ludwig Ott

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma has been considered as the definitive single­ volume summary of Catholic dogmatic theology ever since its original publication in German in 1952. This great work by Ludwig Ott presents a comprehensive yet concise outline of the entire system of Catholic doctrine, laying out its sources in Scripture and Tradition as taught by the Magisterium of the Church. The level of authority behind each doctrinal point is indicated and there are frequent references to the teachings of Fathers, Doctors and numerous Saints of the Church.

This definitive work of dogmatics is presented in a language that is both academically rigorous and accessible to laymen. Whilst written for study purposes it is suitable to anyone who wants to go beyond the basics in understanding the faith.

The new 2018 edition of the Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Baronius Press is based on the original translation by Dr. Patrick Lynch. It has been fully revised and updated and brings the language into greater harmony with current usage.

Ludwig Ott was born in Neumarkt-St. Helena, Germany in 1906. He was ordained a priest in 1930 and received his doctorate in 1936 after studying under Martin Grabmann, one of the 20th century’s greatest authorities on medieval scholasticism. That same year he became a professor of dogmatics in the Catholic University of Eichstätt, rising to full professor in 1941. From 1960 to 1962 he served as the university’s rector. His studies in the field of dogmatics and the history of scholasticism made him eminently qualified to write the Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma. He also wrote works on the history of medieval spirituality and theology and on the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Ludwig Ott died in Eichstätt in 1985.