When Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’” came out in 2015, the concept of integral ecology was new to most people. But Mike Schut, the new director of integral ecology for the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, has been working in the field for most of his career.
“Pope Francis structured ‘Laudato Si’’ on St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation,” said Franciscan Sister Michelle L’Allier. “In the encyclical, he exhorts us to listen to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. He advocates for an integral approach, inviting us to work together to protect what he calls our common home, that is the Earth.”
As director of integral ecology, Schut works closely with Franciscan sisters, associates, staff, partners and others to facilitate the commitment of the sisters to caring for, listening to and seeking right relationship with all people, the Earth and all creation, especially those affected by injustice and exclusion.
“The cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor are the same,” Schut said. “But I don’t like to objectify the Earth or the poor, because that almost negates or contradicts what integral ecology is about — that we are all very connected, one to each other, one to another and one to all creation.”
The integral ecology position was previously called Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation, or JPIC, a title used in communion with the broader Franciscan family, Sister Michelle said.
“This area of care and concern has been and continues to be an integral part of expressing our Franciscan charism and way of life,” she said. “The content of the position has changed over the years as we have continued to listen to the Catholic social teachings, the signs of the times and the fruit of ongoing discernment.”
“After Pope Francis released ‘Laudato Si’’ in which he articulated a more integrated view of what we called JPIC, we changed the name of the position to integral ecology,” she added. “We are still listening as it is a core practice of discernment on both individual and communal levels.
A rhythm of reflection and action helps us to continue learning from experience and responding in real time to issues of justice and peace, of social and environmental crises.”
Schut’s position is part of the Franciscan Life Circle, which includes Franciscan Spiritual Connections, Franciscan Associates, Integral Ecology, Companioning Ministry and Intentional Community, each ministry sharing responsibility for extending Franciscan spirituality into the world, said Sister Michelle, Schut’s supervisor and the liaison between the religious community’s leadership team and the whole Franciscan Life Circle.
Schut’s work includes writing, speaking and facilitating retreats, as well as attending meetings related to advocacy, both regionally, in the tri-state area, and nationally, like the Franciscan Action Network, he said.
He also works with the Dream Project, an initiative the sisters have adopted as their need for space decreases. The project aims to transform the St. Francis campus into an environmental learning center on land restored to a more native habitat.
“Integral ecology, like Catholic social teaching, takes a social and environmental approach to issues, seeing everything as interconnected,” Sister Michelle said.
“Seeing with a wider lens that includes human and environmental concerns helps us address the complexity of human issues,” she added. “If we do so in isolation, then it will be harder to resolve root causes and bring about healing, peace and justice.”
Schut, who started in his position with the Franciscan Sisters last October, has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental studies.
It was while he was studying for his master’s that he read an essay that literally set the direction for his career.
“The Historic Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis,” written in 1967 by Lynn White Jr., a historian and university professor, had a profound impact on him, he said.
“I think Lynn White’s points about separating us from nature, separating God from nature, and being Christian and being very human-centered or anthropocentric are pretty true,” he said. “If you look at John 3:16, ‘for God so loved the world,’ what you hear is for God so loved people. But the word is cosmos, actually, for God so loved the cosmos. Or in Colossians 1, ‘through Christ all things are reconciled.’ It doesn’t say you and me. It says all things are reconciled. So, there’s this, even in Scripture.”
He researched responses to White’s article and decided he wanted to be part of a solution. This led to his master’s thesis — creating a course on sustainability, environmental justice, and theology to teach in churches.
“I felt this call to connect my interest and love of the outdoors with my sorrow at what was happening,” Schut said. “It breaks my heart to hear about species going extinct and the impacts of climate change on particularly those with less in this world. So, I felt this call to connect all those areas of passion.”
Schut, has always been interested in how people and the Earth are connected.
As a child growing up in Cuttingsville, Vermont, his family lived next door to Spring Lake Ranch, a therapeutic community that supports people with mental health and substance use challenges.
“My dad was on staff and a lot of the work was being outside together, working together outside,” he said. “That was a big part of therapy … supporting the well-being of the people there.”
The compassion he saw in his parents — in their lives and in their work — included people and the Earth, he said.
“It was the compassion extended to others that I saw in what my parents were doing, and how they lived,” he said. “It wasn’t hard for me to see that the beings that were part of the circle of compassion included other than humans. It wasn’t hard [for me] to extend that compassion.”
Before joining the sisters, Schut’s work experience included the Recovery Café Network, Farm Table Foundation, Seattle-based Earth Ministry and serving on the national Episcopal Church’s staff as economic and environmental affairs officer.
He also has edited or partially authored three books — “Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective;” “Food and Faith: Justice, Joy, and Daily Bread;” and “Money and Faith: The Search for Enough.”
“As we refined the focus of the director of integral ecology position, Mike’s values, talents, skills and experience, together with his intention to move to Minnesota drew him to apply,” Sister Michelle said. “Through the interview process it became clear that his contemplative spirit and commitment to action also were a good fit for the position. His joining the staff of our Franciscan community has been a mutual blessing.”
For more resources and to learn more about integral ecology, visit
www.usccb.org/offices/general-secretariat/laudato-si-care-our-common-home