William Cavanaugh

William Cavanaugh (1962–present) is an American Catholic theologian and political theorist who holds the Charles and Persis McDaniel Chair in Catholic Studies at DePaul University. He received his PhD from Duke University under Stanley Hauerwas. Cavanaugh's work critically examines the relationship between theology, politics, and economics, particularly challenging conventional narratives about religion and violence. His influential book "The Myth of Religious Violence" (2009) argues that the modern distinction between religious and secular violence is itself a product of Western political arrangements. In "Being Consumed" (2008) and "Field Hospital" (2016), he develops a theological critique of consumer capitalism and explores ecclesiology as political theology. His scholarship emphasizes how Christian practices and the Eucharist constitute alternative political formations that challenge nation-state sovereignty and market ideology. Cavanaugh's work has significantly influenced contemporary political theology and discussions about the public role of religion.