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Curriculum vitae of Father Badi OP

My full name is Jean-Bertrand Madragule Badi (short Father Badi OP). I was born as the fifth of eleven children on November 22, 1963 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 2010 I am a German citizen. Because of the extremely high infant mortality rate in Congo, three of my siblings already died.

The Rosary and devotion to the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, were and are the focus of my family. This path of faith influenced me personally and led me to the altar of the Lord, Jesus Christ. On February 13, 1994, I was ordained Dominican priest in Watsa in northeastern Congo.

Studies

First, I studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of Congo (1986-1993). In Kinshasa, I was trained to become a journalist. In 2005 I got the chance to graduate in dogmatic at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Bonn. My book titled Titel „Inkarnation in der Perspektive des jüdisch-christlichen Dialogs“ ["Incarnation in the Perspective of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue"] was published in 2006 by Ferdinand Schöningh. On February 15, 2012, I completed, for a second time, my doctorate in philosophy at the University of Luxembourg. My second book titled “Dieu au-delà de l’être. Le sens éthique de Dieu dans la pensée d’Emmanuel Levinas” was published in 2013 by Peter Lang. Previously I completed a master's degree in philosophy at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (France). Additionally, I completed 2011, a master's degree in politics and international relations at the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in France. Currently I am working on my habilitation in dogmatic theology and history of dogma at the Ruhr-University of Bochum. The subject of the habilitation is: „Entwicklung des Freiheitsdenkens im Katholizismus der Moderne – Exemplarische Fallstudien zu Problemkonstellationen in der katholischen Kirche und Theologie“. ["Development of Freedom of Thought in Modern Catholicism - Exemplary Case Studies on the Constellation of Problems in the Catholic Church and Theology."]

Pastoral Services in Congo, Germany, France and Belgium

After my ordination (1994) I worked in pastoral services and as a teacher of philosophy and English at the high school Mgr. Mbikanye - Congo. 1995-1996 I was chief editor of the philosophical and theological student magazine "LA COLOMBE" in Kinshasa. During my studies at the University of Bonn, I also took on pastoral services in the parish / the convent of St. Andrew in Cologne. I was involved in the founding of the Catholic Francophone Community in Cologne. In the holiday time periods, I took over pastoral services also in France and Belgium. During my studies in Bonn, I accompanied the pilgrimage to Kevelaer, Medjugorje, Lourdes, Fatima, Banneux, Beauraing, Krakow, Czestochova, etc.

From March 2012 - May 2013 I rendered in Bistum Aachen pastoral services in the Catholic Parish Remigius in Viersen. From there I was moved to the Parish of St. Christophorus in Krefeld-North in June 2013. There I act as a pastor at the local Episcopal Maria Montessori School. At the association of local authorities St. Christophorus, I work in all pastoral tasks such as: Preparation for baptism, baptism, marriage preparation, visit of condolence, funeral, administration of sacraments, etc.

My Congolese provincial released me from the execution of my habilitation and priestly service.

Other Activities

In the year 2004, I started, in the social sphere, a health project in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We support the needy rural population in the region (help for self-help) in order to permanently improve its living conditions. After ten years of experience, we founded the association "Kongo Social-Care e. V." so that we can continue to promote our various projects in Congo-Kinshasa.

Father Badi OP

(Dr. Dr. Jean-Bertrand Madragule Badi O.P.)