Paulinus I. Odozor

Rev. Paulinus I. Odozor, CSSp is Professor of Theology and Africana Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where he has been a faculty member since 1999. He serves as a Kellogg Institute faculty fellow since 2016 and currently holds the position of president of the Governing Council of Spiritan International School of Theology in Enugu, Nigeria.

His scholarly interests encompass foundational issues in moral theology and Christian ethics, history of moral theology, contextual theological issues, theology and society, and African Christian theology. Odozor has established himself as a bridge between Western theological traditions and African religious contexts, promoting conversations between the Church and Africa and between Christian ethics and other systems of ethics, both secular and religious.

His publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of traditional Catholic moral teaching with contemporary social issues, particularly as they relate to African contexts. His work demonstrates expertise in Catholic Social Teaching, ethical development, and the contextualization of theological principles within diverse cultural frameworks.

Scientific Recognition:

• Kellogg Institute Faculty Fellow (2016-present)

Odozor has been actively engaged in public discourse through media appearances, including discussions on the Black Lives Matter movement (June 2020) and commentary on papal selection criteria (April 2025). His research grant work includes the 2016-2017 project 'Reimagining African Theology: A Collaborative Venture with African Churches and Theological Institutions' through Notre Dame Global Gateway in Rome, Italy.