“In a World Where Worship is Very Much Still Alive” DePaul University’s William Cavanaugh I S3 Ep.40

In the fortieth episode of the third season of the “Saturdays at Seven” conversation series, Todd Ream talks with William T. Cavanaugh, Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University. Cavanaugh begins by drawing from his most recent book, The Uses of Idolatry, a means of assessing the currents of contemporary culture. In a world which is often referenced as secular or post-secular, Cavanaugh contends humanity engages in the worship of all sorts of gods including politics and wealth. Cavanaugh then shifts to discussing his own formation as a scholar, beginning with his years as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame during which he switched his major form chemical engineering to theology. He began his career at the University of St. Thomas but returned to his hometown of Chicago when he was appointed Professor of Catholic Studies and a Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University. In addition to being the author or editor of 18 books, Cavanaugh, along with Jim Fodor, has served as the co-editor of Modern Theology for approximately 20 years. Cavanaugh closes by discussing his understanding of the academic vocation, the virtues one needs to cultivate when committed to such a vocation, and the ways such a vocation and the Church can be of greater service to one another in the years to come.