28.12.1961 Birth in Bad Homburg v.d.H.
1972-1980 humanistic gymnasium “Kaiserin-Friedrich-Gymnasium” in Bad Homburg v.d.H.
1982-1988 study of catholic theology at the University of Bonn “Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität” (diploma)
1984-1988 study of Christian Archaeology and Classical Philology (greek) at the University of Bonn
1985-1986 auxiliary at the chair of History of Ancient Church, Patrology and Christian Archaeology at the University of Bonn (prof. Ernst Dassmann)
22.7.1991 doctorate of theology at the University of Bonn; thesis ”Chiliasmus und Antichrist-Mythos. Eine frühchristliche Kontroverse um das Heilige Land”.
1991-1992 pastoral work in Düsseldorf-Eller and Euskirchen
1993-1994 pastoral work as deacon at St. Marien in Neuss
10.6.1994 priest ordination for the arcdiocese of Cologne
1994-1996 pastoral work as chaplain at St. Servatius in Siegburg
1996-1999, 2001-2011 member of the German College at Campo Santo Teutonico (Vatican)
1999-2006 auxiliary priest at St. Quirin in Neuss
9.2.2000 habilitation at the University of Bonn, Venia legendi for History of Ancient Church, Patrology and Christian Archaeology
since 4.6.2001 professor of History of Liturgy and Hagiography at the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology in Rome
20.7.2004 invited professor of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University S. Thomas Aquinas in Rome
since 26.9.2006 member of the Advisory Board of the Görres Society
2006-2012 Vicerector of the German College at Campo Santo Teutonico (Vatican)
2007-2020 associate professor of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University S. Thomas Aquinas 
29.12.2009 Kaplan Seiner Heiligkeit ("Monsignore")
since 1.1.2011 Director of the Roman Institute of the Görres Society
2011-2012 Sabbatical at St. John's Seminary in Brighton (Boston)
2016-2017 invited professor of the Patristic Institute "Augustinianum"
2020-2026 Rector of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology
since 2024 associate professor of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University Gregoriana