Roger Burggraeve

Roger Burggraeve (born 1942, Passendale, Flanders, Belgium) is a Belgian Salesian priest, moral theologian, philosopher, and Emeritus Professor at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven). He is internationally recognised for his contributions to Catholic moral theology, biblical philosophy, and Jewish dialogical ethics, particularly in relation to the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas.

Early life and education Burggraeve was born in Passendale in 1942 and entered the Salesian Society of St Francis de Sales (SDB). He earned a licentiate in philosophy in Rome and later a doctorate in moral theology at KU Leuven in 1980, influenced by his mentor Louis Janssens. To Love Otherwise: Essays in Bible Philosophy and Ethics (Peeters, 2020) Wombness: A Reflective In-Depth Reading of the Good Samaritan Narrative (Dharmaram Publications, 2025; ISBN 978-93-92996-61-0)

Awards, legacy and influence Burggraeve received the Ritus & Tempelbouw Oeuvre Prize in the Netherlands for his philosophical and theological contributions, particularly his exploration of Levinasian themes such as freedom, responsibility, and the ethics of “the face”.

He is regarded as a pioneer in integrating Levinas’s ethics into Catholic moral theology. His development of an “ethics of growth” and focus on mercy have shaped contemporary debates in moral theology, peace ethics, and interreligious dialogue. His teaching and publications have influenced students, theologians, and scholars worldwide.