Is Idolatry Dead? Disenchantment & Misenchantment in the Contemporary World

PLEASE NOTE: This is a hybrid event, and all but 1 session will be offered both in person and online. The only session that won't be livestreamed is the 1:30pm Friday student poster presentation.

ALSO, for those watching the livestream from OTHER TIME ZONES: The schedule follows local Chicago time, which is Central Daylight Time (CDT) and corresponds to UTC-5, Coordinated Universal Time.

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We often hear of the contrast between an "enchanted" global South and an increasingly secular and "disenchanted" North. At the same time, however, Pope Francis has revived idolatry critique, focused especially on the false gods of the supposedly secular political economies dominated by the global North. But idolatry critique can be dangerous; colonial powers frequently denigrated indigenous people as idolaters in need of conversion. This conference takes up these issues, exploring the question: How is the language of idolatry and enchantment used—and misused—in today's world?
Our speakers will address the following topics:

• Colonialism & idolatry critique
• Enchantment, disenchantment, and misenchantment in the global North & global South
• Scriptural & theological reflections on idolatry
• Naming today's idols ​​
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"" is the 15th annual World Catholicism Week conference organized by DePaul University's Center for World Catholicism & Intercultural Theology (CWCIT), and we're very grateful to our cosponsors this year here at DePaul:

• Department of Catholic Studies

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Cover photo: The "Charging Bull" of Wall Street (New York City), AndreyKrav

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• Victor Carmona (University of San Diego)
• William T. Cavanaugh (DePaul University)​
• Emilce Cuda (Pontifical Commission for Latin America)
• Paul Gifford (SOAS, University of London)
• Patrick Gilger, SJ (Loyola University Chicago)
• Stan Chu Ilo (DePaul University)
• Bungishabaku Katho (Shalom University of Bunia, DR Congo)
• David Lantigua (University of Notre Dame)
• Eugene McCarraher (Villanova University)
• David Ngong (Stillman College)
• Andrew Redden (University of Liverpool)
• Jung Mo Sung (Methodist University of São Paulo)
• Stephanie Wong (Villanova University)
  

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How can I contact the organizer with questions?
You can reach CWCIT's staff at [email protected].

Will the conference sessions also be recorded?
Yes! They will be edited and posted on our CWCIT website and YouTube channel within a couple of weeks of the conference.

Can I update/change my registration information?
Yes—to review or change any of your registration info, please simply follow the instructions given here.

What if something comes up and I'm not able to attend?
You can cancel your free registration by following the instructions given here.

Whom should I contact if I have questions about disability accommodations?
If you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodations in order to facilitate your participation in this or other CWCIT events, please contact us at [email protected] to further discuss accommodation options.

Host or Publisher Center for World Catholicism at DePaul University