Give

Roger Schroeder, SVD

What motivated you to become a part of the faculty at Catholic Theological Union?

I had wonderful, challenging, and enriching years as a student at CTU during the second half of the 1970s. During that same period, I also spent two years as a seminarian serving in village areas of Papua New Guinea. After my return to CTU, I saw the need to add faculty with extended experience outside of the States and Europe, in order to better accompany CTU students coming with such non-Western experience and background in their theological and ministerial studies.  I joined the CTU faculty in 1990, ten years after graduating from CTU.

Can you share a particularly rewarding moment from your teaching experience at CTU?

As an optional field experience in the course “Praxis for Intercultural Transformation,” I have accompanied many CTU students and others to the Lakota reservations in South Dakota for over thirty years. I have been honored to witness sincere transformation and reconciliation among many students and our Lakota friends and teachers.

I also had the experience of being invited by a Muslim CTU graduate to give a lecture in 2009 on “The Catholic Understanding of Interreligious Dialogue since Vatican II” at a Muslim state university in Indonesia, where she was on the faculty.

How do you incorporate your faith into your teaching?

I try to incorporate what I teach into my own spirituality and ministry, for example, the idea of “prophetic dialogue.” I also incorporate my faith in my teaching through prayer at the beginning of class, my use of scripture, and my efforts to co.ntribute to God’s mission through my teaching and example

What do you find most fulfilling about teaching at CTU?

Watching students grow in their theological understanding, ministerial skills, and vocational clarity over the years of study at CTU and afterwards. And it is very fulfilling to learn from my students.

How do you engage and inspire your students in the classroom?

I try to provide opportunities for the students to integrate theology, ministry, and their vocation. I sometimes share how I have integrated theory and practice.

Can you share an example of how you’ve seen a student grow during their time at CTU?

I remember one student who had a very negative and suspicious attitude toward other religions at the beginning of a course but then came to me at the end of the course to tell me how he had changed his attitude to one of mutual respect.

What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of teaching theology?

It is a challenge to deal with close-mindedness and prejudice, and it is rewarding to see those same people with time to open themselves up for dialogue with other people and other ideas.

How do you stay connected with the CTU community outside of the classroom?

I am very engaged with students through academic advisement, portfolio conferences, and CTU liturgies. I have been involved over the years in multi-year CTU programs and various administrative duties. 

What research or projects are you currently working on?

I am co-authoring (with retired-CTU-professor Stephen Bevans) a book with the working title of Mission as Attraction. We address how the church needs to improve in attracting all people to the all-embracing love of God and the fullness of life. During my recent sabbatical, I have written the drafts of four chapters on the following themes: hospitality, radical welcome, interculturality, and dialogue.

What is your favorite quote or scripture?

The encounter of Jesus with the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21-28), in which Jesus gave us an example of overcoming one’s prejudice toward someone who is different from us. Jesus initially ignored her and used the derogatory term of “dog” toward her, but then he recognized her faith and acknowledged her as a fellow child of God.

ADDITIONAL QUESTION: What is the passion that you bring to CTU?

I strive to be an instrument in overcoming judgment, misunderstanding, and injustice among individuals and groups, who are diverse from one another. I have a personal and professional passion for interculturality—that is, building mutually enriching and challenging encounters and relationship among those considered diverse (all “us/them” categories). This requires on-going conversion for me, all people and the church. 

Biography