Paul J. Schutz

Paul J. Schutz serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies within Santa Clara University's College of Arts and Sciences. A native of Evansville, Indiana, his scholarship centers on creation theology with emphasis on scientific perspectives informing humanity's relationship with non-human creatures, particularly through the framework of Jesuit astrophysicist William Stoeger.

His educational background includes a B.A. in English from Boston College and M.A./Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University. Dr. Schutz developed an 'ecopolitical' theology oriented toward universal creaturely flourishing, extending this approach to gender, race, interreligious dialogue (especially Buddhism), liturgy, and ministry. His 2025 monograph A Theology of Flourishing establishes 'flourishing' as foundational for Christian theology and ecological-social justice praxis.

Recent publications reveal consistent integration of scientific cosmology with theological ethics, addressing ecological crises through frameworks like Indra's Net (Buddhist-Christian dialogue) and Exodus narratives. His collaborative 2022 report on clergy sexual abuse structural causes generated significant media coverage including America Magazine and Canadian Public Radio interviews. Teaching responsibilities include Religion-Science-Ecology courses, Sustainable Theologies, Creation Theologies, and Faith-Ethics-Biodiversity seminars.

Dr. Schutz's work demonstrates sustained engagement with Laudato Si' implementation, gender-theological intersections, and institutional reform within Catholic contexts, positioning ecological flourishing as central to theological renewal and social transformation.