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Prof. Dr. rer. soc. Dr. theol.

Jochen Sautermeister

Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn

Christian Thiel/Deutscher Ethikrat

“As an interdisciplinary body, the German Ethics Council deals with questions that are of great importance to society and the conduct of life of individuals. Constant developments in research and science, as well as social dynamics and political challenges, raise ethical questions that are addressed by the Ethics Council. As a theological ethicist, I am motivated to engage in the interdisciplinary reflection on these issues, thereby supporting society and politics in their opinion-forming processes and assuming responsibility in our democracy.”

Focus of the commitment in the German Ethics Council

  • Bioethics and medical ethics
  • Autonomy and identity
  • Peace ethics and security ethics
  • Fundamental questions of ethics
  • Prevention, intervention and investigation of sexualised violence and abuse of power

Professional Background

  • Since 2015 W3 Professor of Moral Theology and Director of the Moral Theology Seminar at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
  • Since 2025 Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
  • 2019–2023 Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
  • 2014–2017 Holder of the Endowed Professorship for Moral Theology with a special focus on moral psychology at the Catholic Faculty of Theology at Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
  • 2008–2015 Part-time work as a marriage, family and life counsellor in Munich
  • Winter semester 2013/2014 Acting Chair of Moral Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
  • 2010–2014 Temporary Academic Advisor at the Chair of Moral Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
  • 2013 Doctorate in Theology at the Catholic Faculty of Theology at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich
  • 2004–2010 Research Assistant at the Chair of Moral Theology at the Catholic Faculty of Theology at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich
  • 2004–2008 Further training as a marriage, family and life counsellor
  • 2006 Doctorate in Social Sciences at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
  • 1995–2004 Studied Catholic Theology (Diploma, Master’s Degree), Psychology (Diploma) and Philosophy (Master’s Degree) at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and DAAD scholarship holder at the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem

Memberships

  • Since 2025 Member of the German Ethics Council
  • Since 2024 Member of the Expert Council for Protection against Sexual Abuse and Experiences of Violence at the German Bishops’ Conference
  • Since 2023 Member of the Central Ethics Committee of the German Medical Association
  • Since 2022 Advisor to the Commission for Doctrine and Faith of the German Bishops’ Conference and member of the Bioethics Subcommittee of the German Bishops’ Conference
  • Since 2020 Member of the Committee for Advising Security-Relevant Research with a Considerable Hazard Potential at the Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
  • Since 2018 Member of the Ethics Committee of the International Xenotransplantation Association
  • Since 2018 Member of the Centre for Religion and Society, Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn
  • Since 2017 Deputy Member of the Central Ethics Committee for Stem Cell Research, Robert Koch Institute

Distinctions

  • 2020 University of Bonn Teaching Prize
  • 2016 University of Bonn Teaching Prize

Selected publications

  • Hilpert, K.; Sautermeister, J. (Hg.) (2022): Moralismen. Formen und Strukturen einer neuen Sensibilität. Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Sautermeister, J.; Odenthal, A. (Hg.) (2021): Ohnmacht. Macht. Missbrauch. Theologische Analysen eines systemischen Problems. Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Hilpert, K.; Leimgruber, S.; Sautermeister, J.; Werner, G. (Hg.) (2020): Sexueller Missbrauch von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Raum von Kirche. Analysen – Bilanzierungen – Perspektiven (Quaestiones disputatae, 309). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Sautermeister, J. (2020): Lebenswirklichkeiten deuten und gestalten. Zur Rolle der Moraltheologie im interdisziplinären Gespräch. In: Lob-Hüdepohl, A.; Scheule, R.M.; Schlögl-Flierl, K. (Hg.): Moraltheologie und Universität. Eine Verhältnisbestimmung (Jahrbuch für Moraltheologie, 4). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder, 69–82.
  • Sautermeister, J.; Zwick, E. (Hg.) (2019): Religion und Bildung: Antipoden oder Weggefährten? Diskurse aus historischer, systematischer und praktischer Sicht. Paderborn: Schöningh.
  • Sautermeister, J. (2019): Die Autonomie des Subjekts. Errungenschaft, Forderung und Anspruch. In: Auterio, A.; Goertz, S.; Merks, K.-W. (Hg.): Autorität in der Moral. Historische und systematische Perspektiven (Jahrbuch für Moraltheologie, 3). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder, 165–190.
  • Ernstmann, N.; Sautermeister, J.; Halbach, S. (2019): Gesundheitskompetenz. In: Haring, R. (Hg.): Gesundheitswissenschaften. Berlin: Springer, 269–277.
  • Sautermeister, J. (2019): Gelingende Identität als Zielperspektive theologischer Ethik. In: Bogner, D.; Zimmermann, M. (Hg.): Fundamente theologischer Ethik in postkonfessioneller Zeit. Beiträge zu einer Grundlagendiskussion (Studien zur theologischen Ethik, 154). Basel: Schwabe, 359–375.
  • Sautermeister, J.; Skuban, T. (Hg.) (2018): Handbuch psychiatrisches Grundwissen für die Seelsorge. Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Sautermeister, J. (Hg.) (2018): Tierische Organe in menschlichen Körpern. Biomedizinische, kulturwissenschaftliche, theologische und ethische Zugänge zur Xenotransplantation. Paderborn: Mentis.
  • Sautermeister, J. (Hg.) (2017): Moralpsychologie. Transdisziplinäre Perspektiven (Ethik im Diskurs, 11). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.
  • Hilpert, K.; Sautermeister, J. (Hg.) (2015): Selbstbestimmung – auch im Sterben? Streit um dassistierten Suizid (Theologie kontrovers). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Hilpert, K.; Sautermeister, J. (Hg.) (2014): Organspende – Herausforderung für den Lebensschutz (Quaestiones disputatae, 267). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
  • Sautermeister, J. (2013): Identität und Authentizität. Studien zur normativen Logik personaler Orientierung (Studien zur theologischen Ethik, 138). Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.