nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti nˈaɪn dˈæʃ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi fˈaɪv hiː stˈʌdid lˈɔː ɪn bˈɑːn. nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi fˈaɪv dˈæʃ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti hiː stˈʌdid θɪˈɑːlədʒi æt ðə fɪlˈɑːsəfˌɪʃθɪˈɑːlədʒˌɪʃ hˈɑːtʃʃuːl sˈæŋkt dʒˈɔːɹdʒən fɹˈæŋkfɜːt ænd ɪn fɹˈeɪbɜːɡ.
1979-1985 he studied law in Bonn. 1985-1990 he studied theology at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen (Frankfurt) and in Freiburg.