The UP of Bullange
Pastor of the dozen parishes which constitute the Pastoral Unit (Pfarrverband in German) of Bullange, Father Brodel is also a member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese of Liège, a member of the diocesan team of Visitors of priests and deacons, and member of the association “Aid for Liège priests on mission”. In the show, he explains his role in these different missions, all of which demonstrate his concern for fraternal relations, in Belgium and abroad.
Father Brodel is a regular on RCF broadcasts, of which he appreciates the openness which makes the radio so valuable even for non-believers. He cites as an example the broadcasts which preceded the elections that our country experienced in 2024, in June and October, where members of all parties were invited.
Life journey
Born in Malmedy, he lived his entire childhood in Manderfeld, a village in the entity of Bullange, where his parents were farmers. It was alongside his father, the village organist, that he learned his first notes and developed his taste for music (he could have entered the Conservatory as well as the seminary!), and it was in his parish, where he was successively an acolyte and reader, and in his family, where he felt the call to the priesthood sprout.
From his years at the Seminary, in Namur then in Liège, he kept strong friendships which he still maintains today, notably through a priestly fraternity called “Les Amis de Jésus”, as well as a rich experience pastoral work in the field, in different parishes around Liège.
After his priestly ordination, it was quite natural that he was called to become vicar in Herstal, before being appointed parish priest in Soumagne. To his three parishes, two others were added (“You will add this parish to those you already take care of, won’t you?”)… Then appointed parish priest of the Pastoral Unit of Montzen-Plombières , he is now on the “roof of Belgium”, proud to be priest of the parish at the highest altitude in our country!
Passionate about travel (he traveled the earth with his Dad), Father Brodel is also an accomplished sportsman: cycling, paramotoring, skiing. A great friend of the Virgin of the Poor, the Virgin Mary, each year he accompanies the Triduum of the Sick of the German-speaking region to Banneux, after having also pilgrimaged to Lourdes, with a group of young people.
Father Brodel chose and comments on the music for this program for listeners:
- An overture by Johann Sebastian Bach, the master of the organ
- Jump by Van Halen, which is the ringtone on his phone ????
- The soundtrack of the film Mission: quite a program for a priest!
