Badurad was a 9th-century Catholic bishop who led the diocese of Paderborn from 815 until his death in 862. Born into Saxon nobility during the Saxon Wars, he received his education at the cathedral in Würzburg. As a trusted figure within the imperial court of Louis the Pious, he served as a royal emissary and participated in significant ecclesiastical councils. He is remembered for his efforts to strengthen the faith of his people through the acquisition of sacred relics.
Ecclesiastical career
After succeeding Bishop Hathumar, Badurad secured ecclesiastical immunity for his cathedral from Emperor Louis the Pious. He played a central role in the religious life of the region, consecrating the high altar at the Abbey of Corvey. Throughout his long tenure, he participated in various councils, including the meetings at Mainz, and acted as a judge during important trials of the era.
Relics and faith
To combat local superstitions and encourage righteous worship, Badurad actively sought holy relics. He brought the remains of Saint Liborius from Le Mans to Paderborn and also obtained relics of Saint Landelin from Cambrai. He believed that the presence of these sacred remains and the miracles associated with them would help guide the common people toward true devotion.
Legacy and death
Badurad's political allegiances shifted following the death of Louis the Pious, leading to a temporary loss of his see when he supported Lothar. In his later years, he became less involved in imperial politics. He died in 862, and his passing was recorded in the necrologies of both the Paderborn cathedral and the Abdinghof monastery. He is commemorated as a saint.