Professional Appointments:
- 2025 – Director of the Institute of Integral Ecology, St. Paul, MN
- 2025 – Director of Lilly Grant sponsored by Catholic Rural Life with the purpose of developing educational events and materials concerning “leading for ecological conversion.”
- 2024 – General Editor of the Saint Paul Seminary Press
- 2019 – Academic Dean, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
- 2024-25 Director of the Institute for Catholic Theological Formation, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
- 2018 – Appointed Professor of Moral Theology, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity.
- 2018-19 Co-director of the Monsignor Terence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy, University of St. Thomas.
- 2010-18 Director, Center for Theological Formation, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
- 2006-16 Academic Dean, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
- 2001-05 Appointed chairman of the Department of Catholic Studies, University of St. Thomas
- 1996 – Appointed Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas
- 1994 – Appointed Assistant Professor Theology, University of St. Thomas
- 1992 – Instructor, Department of Theology, University of St. Thomas
Selected Teaching Experience:
Graduate:
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
- DVMT 601: Moral Theology
- DVMT 800: Moral Theology and Contemp. Psychology
- DVPT 625: Rural Ministry Practicum
- DVDT 800: Readings in Aquinas: Summa Theologiae
- DVMT 706: Principles of Stewardship and Sustainability
- DVPH 115: Philosophical Anthropology
- DVMT 800: Thomistic Epistemology: Empathy and Identity
- CSMA 500: The Essentials of Catholicism
- CSMA 512: Thomistic Moral Life and Thought
- CSMA 800: Integral Ecology
Undergraduate:
- Department of Catholic Studies
- Cath 366: Psychology and Moral Theology
- Cath 201: Paths and Practices in the Catholic Tradition
- Cath 101: The Search for Happiness
- Department of Theology
- Theology 101: The Christian Theological Tradition
- Theology 215: Christian Morality
- Theology 315: Christian Marriage
- Theology 396: Augustine’s Confessions
- Theology 398: The Virtues
- IDSC 498: Honors Seminar: Moral Frontiers Since Vatican II
- Theology 366: Psychology and Moral Theology
Publications:
- Books and Monographs
- 2017 The Joyful Mystery: Field Notes Toward a Green Thomism. Emmaus Road Publishing.
- 2016 Senior Editor. The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader: Integrating Faith with Agriculture and the Environment. Published in Collaboration with The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Catholic Rural Life (USA), and the International Catholic Rural Association, (Vatican City). Reprinted in Italian, French, and Tagalog.
- 2012 Editor. Symposium on Aquinas and the Environment. Special volume in Nova et Vetera 10/1 (2012) 61-278.
- 2011 Editor. Reason and the Rule of Faith: Conversations in the Tradition with John Paul II, with Steven A. Long, University Press of America.
- 1999 Christian Doctrine, Christian Identity: Augustine and the Character of Narrative. Book. With a Foreword by Stanley Hauerwas. University Press of America, 1999.
- Series Editor: Catholic Theological Formation Series.
- 2016 On Earth as it is in Heaven: Cultivating a Contemporary Theology of Creation. Edited by David V. Meconi, SJ. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
- 2015 Verbum Domini and the Complementarity of Exegesis and Theology. Edited by Fr. Scott Carl. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
- 2012 Celebrating a Century of Ecumenism. Edited by Msgr. John A. Radano with a Foreword by Walter Cardinal Kasper. Wm. B. Eerdmans Co.
- Articles
- 2022 “Narrating Radical Inclusivity and Dysmorphic Identities,” in Augustine’s ‘Confessions’ and Contemporary Concerns. Edited by David V. Meconi, SJ. Saint Paul Seminary Press.
- 2016 “Laudato si’ and the Rise of Green Thomism,” Nova et vetera 14/3 (Summer, 2016) 745 – 750.
- 2013 “At the Therapist’s Door,” in Philosophical Issues and Psychological Strengths: Building the Bridge. Edited by Romanus Cessario, O.P., Craig Steven Titus, and Paul C. Vitz (Sophia Institute Press) 31-46.
- 2012 “Augustine’s Confessions and the Source of Christian Character,” in The Confessions of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Ignatius Critical Editions. Edited by David V. Meconi, SJ, (Ignatius Press, 2012) 505-519.
- 2011 “In the Temple of Creation: American Agriculture Fifty Years after ‘Mater et Magistra.’ Giustizia e Globalizzazione: Dalla ‘Mater et Magistra’ Alla ‘Caritas in Veritate.’ Atti del Congresso Internazionale nel 50th Annivesario della ‘Mater et Magistra.’ Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Vatican City.
- 2011 “Lest the Cross of Christ Be Emptied of Its Power: Negative Moral Norms in the Moral Life,” in Reason and the Rule of Faith (University Press of America, Lanham, MD) 13-142.
- 2010 “From Conservation to Consecration: Toward a Green Thomism.” Homiletic and Pastoral Review (October).
- 2009 “Perennial Wisdom: Notes Toward a Green Thomism,” Nova et Vetera 10/1 (2012) 61-71.
- 2009 “Beholding the Logos: The Church, the Environment and the Meaning of Man,” in Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture vol. 12/3 (Summer, 2009) 33-52.
- 2005 “Preliminary Remarks Toward a Constructive Encounter Between St. Thomas and Clinical Psychology,” Catholic Social Scientist Review 10.
- 2002 “Freedom, Deliberation, and Natural Family Planning,” in Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture (Fall, 2002).
- 1999 “The Spirit and Limits of Prudential Reasoning,” The Thomist (1999) 425-437.
- 1996 “Christian Identity and Augustine’s Confessions,” Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association (1996) 249-258.
- 1995 “Benedict, Thomas or Augustine? The Character of MacIntyre’s Narrative,” The Thomist 59 (July, 1995) 379-407.
- 1995 “Models of Education and a Catholic University: Preliminary Reflections,” Essays on the Catholic University in the 21st Century.
- 1994 “The Theological Dimensions of Time in Confessions Book XI,”
- Collectanea Augustiniana III, (New York: Peter Lang Publishers, 1994) 187-193.
- Reviews, et. Al.
- 2013 Review of Pierre-Marie Emonet, OP, The Dearest Freshest Deep Down Things. (New York: Crossroad Publishing, 1999) @www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2013 “Good news in Priestly Formation,” @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2013 “Right Relationships in Faith: Farming and the Creative Good,” @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2012 Review of The Law of Love: From Autonomy to Communion, by Stephen F. Brett, The Thomist 76/3 (2012) 494-495.
- 2011 ‘Mater et magistra,’ or ‘Well begun is half done,’” @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2011 “A Response to Hamlin and McGreevy’s, “The Greening of America, Catholic Style,” Environmental History 11 (2006) 464-499 @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2011 “The Invitation of Creation,” @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2010 Review of Michael J. Woods, SJ, Cultivating the Soil: Twentieth-Century Agrarians Embrace the Liturgical Movement (Liturgical Press, 2010). @www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2010 Review of Kyle T. Kramer, A Time to Plant: Life lessons in Work, Prayer and Dirt. (Notre Dame: Sorin Books, 2010) @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2010 “In Defense of Dust,” @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2009 Review of Woodene Koenig-Briker, Ten Commandments for the Environment (Ave Maria Press, 2009) @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2009 Review of Marie George, Stewardship of Creation: What Catholics Should Know about Church Teaching on the Environment (Indianapolis: Saint Catherine of Sienna Press, 2009) @ www.catholicrurallife.org
- 2001 Review of “Moral Theology in a Sapiential Mode: Veritatis Splendor and the Renewal of Catholic Moral Theology in The Thomist 65/3 (2001) 465-473.
- 1998 Pamela Hall, Narrative and the Natural Law: An Interpretation of Thomistic Ethics. Book review for Pro Ecclesia, Fall, 1998.
- 1997 Jean Porter, Moral Action and Christian Ethics. Book review for The Thomist, Spring, 1997.
- 1996 Review of G. Simon Harak, S. J. Virtuous Passions: The Formation of Christian Character. Book review for The Thomist 60/1 (1996) 159-161.
Professional Lectures and Presentations:
- 2025 – Keynote Speaker, “The Splendor of Creation and the Path to Recovery,” the International Symposium on “Sustainability and Integral Ecology in Business and Law: Ten Years after Laudato si’,” University of Lima, Peru, in July.
- 2025 – Keynote Speaker for “Emerging Technologies: Promises and Perils,” for Newman University, Wichita, KS. April.
- 2024 – Teaching Video: “What is Integral Ecology?” Produced in collaboration with the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas. Rome. March.
- 2024 – Plenary Address. Annual meeting of the Sacra Doctrina Conference. University of St. Thomas, in June.
- 2023 – Keynote Address. National Conference Celebrating The 100th Anniversary of Catholic Rural Life, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, in June.
- 2022 – Public Lecture. “The ‘Nature’ of Catholic Culture: Notes toward a Transformational Education.” Benedictine College, Atchison, KS.
- 2019 – Public Lecture. “Integral Ecology and the Promise of Green Thomism,” sponsored by the Jacques Maritain Center and the Environmental Change Initiative at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN.
- 2019 – Conference Presentation. “Syntonic and Dystonic Desire: Augustine and Dysmorphic Identities” at the “Augustine in Contemporary Culture Conference.” Saint Paul Seminary, in August.
- 2019 – Keynote Address on “The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader” in Rome at the international gathering for Trimble Ag Connections, a global ag tech leader in precision agriculture, in December.
- 2019 – Keynote. “Integral Ecology and the Protection of the Unborn,” at Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ, March.
- 2017 – Seminar Presenter: “Recovering a Rural Aesthetic,” Wethersfield Institute, New York.
- 2017 – Presentation on “Catholic Social Thought and Integral Ecology,” University of Maine, Farmington, ME.
- 2017 – Presentation and Workshop on “Principles of Integral Ecology,” Diocesan Congress, “Siempre Adelante: Keep Moving Forward,” Diocese of Fresno, CA.
- 2017 – Presentation on Laudato Si’: The Association of Theological Field Educators, St. Paul, MN, in January.
- 2017 – Presentation on Integral Ecology for Diocesan Clergy Formation, Diocese of Victoria, TX.
- 2017 – Public Lecture: “Culture and Integral Ecology,” Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, Montreal, QC.
- 2017 – Presentation for Aquinas Study Group: “Laudato Si’ and the Promise of Green Thomism,” Catholic Theological Society of America, Albuquerque, NM.
- 2017 – Conference Co-host and Presentation: “Laudato Si’ as an Occasion of Doctrinal Development,” Retrieving Traditions Conference, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2016 – Presentation: “Social Dialogue: Food Security, the Reduction of Poverty, and the Role of the Catholic University.” European Study Meeting on Strategy for Europe 2020: The Role of Social Dialogue for a Sustainable Agriculture and the Growth of Employment. Europäisches Zentrum für Arbeitnehmerfragen. Santa Marinella, Lazio, IT.
- 2016 – Lecture. “Foundations of Laudato Si’,” Centre for Catholic Studies, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO.
- 2016 – Paper Presentation: “Laudato Si’ and the Return of Natural Law,” Catholic Climate Covenant Conference, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D. C.
- 2016 – Public lecture and presentations. “The Theological Foundations of Laudato Si’.” Williams College, Williamstown, MA.
- 2015 – Press Conference: Spokesperson on behalf of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation: “Laudato Si’ and the Rise of Green Thomism,” Conference sponsored by USCCB, Catholic University of America Conference, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation on “Ecology and Catholic Social Thought,” Diocese of Winona, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation/Panelist on “The Importance of Laudato Si’,” Minnesota Catholic Conference, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation on “Christian Theology and Ecology,” for the Muslim Christian Dialogue Center, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation on “The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader” and member of the US Delegation, Vatican Exhibition, World Expo, Milan, IT.
- 2015 – Hosted national seminar in collaboration with the USCCB and the Center for Catholic Studies: “Human and Natural Ecology: Economic Political and Cultural Implications,” Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation on “The ‘Nature’ of the Diaconate,” National Diaconate Conference, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation/Lecture. “The Rural Family,” L’agriculuture familiale: XXV Congress Journées Paysannes. Souvigny, FR.
- 2015 – On-line seminar: “The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader,” Diocese of Great Falls, MT.
- 2015 – Presentation on Ecology and Theology. Archdiocese of Anchorage, AK.
- 2014 – Presentation: Principles and Tasks of Catholic Stewardship, Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D. C.
- 2014 – Keynote Presentation: “The Place of Faith in the Geography of Hope,” at “The Evolving Theology of Creation Conference,” The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2013 – Presentation. “Green Thomism and the Challenge of GMO’s,” with David Andow, Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Insect Ecology. University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, MN.
- 2011 – Public Lecture. “Assenting to the World and The Challenge of Thanksgiving,” Conference hosted with Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Stockton, Stockton, CA.
- 2011 – Presentation: “Agriculture as an ‘Ars Cooperativa’,” International Catholic Rural Association and the Europäisches Zentrum für Arbeitnehmerfragen. Vatican City.
- 2009 – Keynote Address. “The Person in Human Ecology,” for Faith, Food and the Environment National Conference. Hosted in collaboration with the International Catholic Rural Association and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2008 – The Culture of Freedom and Natural Family Planning. Keynote Address to the National Convention of Couple to Couple League, Charlotte, NC.
- 2007 – Beholding the Logos: The Church, the Environment, and the Meaning of Man. Ireland Library Plenary Lecture, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2006 – Presentation, “St. Thomas and Clinical Psychology,” Society of Catholic Social Scientists, Dallas, TX.
Other Activities:
- 2025 – Three part series on “Ecological Conversion,” Good Shepherd Parish, Golden Valley, MN, in July.
- 2025 – Retreat Presenation. “Creation Waits with Eager Longing,” Thriving in Rural Ministry, October.
- 2024 – Retreat Presentation. “Another Way of Seeing,” Thriving in Rural Ministry, in October.
- 2023 – Successful petition for continuing Accreditation for all programs of The Saint Paul Seminary by the Association of Theological Schools.
- 2022 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Catholic Rural Life.
- 2022 – Panel Chair, Theological Perspectives. “Sowing Good Seeds: Christian Perspectives on Agriculture in Higher Education Systems.” Anselm House, University of Minnesota, June.
- 2021 – Integrative Formation Seminar, The Saint Paul Seminary. November.
- 2021 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Catholic Rural Life.
- 2020 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Catholic Rural Life. October.
- 2020 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Tuscon, AZ. February.
- 2020 – Hosted a graduate seminar on “Integral Ecology in a Global Context” in Costa Rica. January.
- 2019 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Catholic Rural Life. November.
- 2019 – Paper Presentation. “Dysmorphic Identities.” Conference on Augustine and Contemporary Issues. The Saint Paul Seminary. June.
- 2019 – Retreat Seminar. Thriving in Rural Ministry. Catholic Rural Life. March.
- 2019 – Conference Organizer and Host. “Catholic Evaluation of CRISPR Technology.” Murphy Institute, University of St. Thomas.
- 2018 – Teaching Session/Lecture on Integral Ecology and Natural Law for the Minnesota Bishops Conference.
- 2018 – Co-ordinated “The Spirituality of Eating: Joining Food, Faith, and the Life of the World.” With Norman Wirzba, James Ennis, Jessica Hellman and John Mesko.
- 2018 – Co-ordinated “All Creatures Great and Small: Discerning a Catholic Protocol for Genetic Modification,” with Nicanor Austriaco, OP, John Berkman, and Jessica Hellman.
- 2017 – Co-ordinated International Conference on “Rethinking the Resources of the Christian Theological Tradition: retrieval, Renewal, Reunion?” with Paul Gavrilyuk (UST Theology Department), University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2016 – Private Papal Audience with His Holiness, Francis, on the occasion of the reception of The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader, Vatican City.
- 2016 – Hosted international seminar: “Let Us Sing as We Go: Integral Ecology and Professing Laudato Si’,” including a concert performance by The Rose Ensemble on “Themes of Francis: Laudato Si’”, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2016 – Member/participant in the US Delegation. World Farmers Organization General Assembly, Lusaka, Zambia.
- 2015 – Member and presenter of US Delegation for Preparatory meetings for World Expo. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Milan, IT.
- 2015 – Hosted national conference, “Human and Natural Ecology: Economic, Political, and Cultural Implications,” in collaboration with the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Center for Catholic Studies, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Interview. “Le ferme familiale est une communatué organicque,” in Famille Chrétienne, February, 2015.
- 2015 – Hosted: Faculty Colloquia on Laudato Si’, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2015 – Presentation: “Principles and Tasks of Catholic Stewardship,” Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, Washington, D.C., in December.
- 2014 – Hosted seminar, “The Evolving Theology of Creation,” The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2014 – Co-hosted inter-national conference, “Faith, Food and the Environment: The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader,” in collaboration with Catholic Rural Life, Minnesota Farmers Union.
- 2013 – Successful petition for continuing Accreditation for all programs of The Saint Paul Seminary by the Association of Theological Schools Accreditation Review.
- 2013 – Presentation. “Green Thomism and the Challenge of GMO’s,” The Saint Paul Seminary and the School of Law of the University of St. Thomas, in May.
- 2011 – Hosted seminar: “Nature as Norm,” The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2011 – Private Papal Audience with His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Vatican City.
- 2010 – Hosted national seminar, “A Century of Ecumenism,” with Monsignor John A. Radano, on the occasion of the centenary of the 1910 Edinburgh World Missionary Conference, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2009 – Hosted International Conference: “Renewing the Face of the Earth: The Church and the Order of Creation,” at The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2008 – Hosted national symposium on Paul VI, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2008 – Hosted seminar on “The Legacy of John Paul II: On the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae,” The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2008 – Hosted lecture series and seminar, “Remember Paul VI,” with Michael Sherwin, OP, Monsignor James Mulligan, and the Most Reverend Vincenzo Paglia, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2007 – Archbishop John Ireland Library Annual Lecture: “The Church, the Environment, and the Meaning of Man.” The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
Service:
- 2016 – Committee Memberships:
- SPSSOD Board of Trustees
- SPSSOD Dean’s Team
- SPSSOD Leadership
- SPSSOD Executive Committee
- SPSSOD Faculty Affairs
- SPSSOD Finance Committee
- SPSSOD Strategic Planning Implementation
- SPSSOD Hiring Committee
- SPSSOD Integrative Formation
- SPSSOD Administrators’ Committee
- SPSSOD Program and Formation Committee
- SPSSOD Admissions
- SPSSOD Affiliation Agreement Revisions
- SPSSOD, Cultural Empathy Committee
- SPSSOD Association of Theological Schools Accreditation
- UST President’s Cabinet
- 2025 – Grant Writer/Editor. “Thriving in Rural Ministry,” on behalf of Catholic Rural Life. ($3 million from Lilly Endowment).
- 2021 – Academic Advisor. The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity.
- 2021 – Grant Writer/Editor. “Thriving in Rural Ministry,” on behalf of Catholic Rural Life. ($3 million from Lilly Endowment).
- 2019 – 2025 Volunteer. Friends of Dorothy Day. Dorothy Day Center, St. Paul, MN. Meal server, bingo caller.
- 2019 – “Praise Be!” Seminars on Living Integral Ecology.
- 2018 – 19 Sustainability Committee Faculty Representative. Margaret A. Cargill Faculty Champion for the Environment.
- 2018 – Grant Writer/Editor. “Thriving in Rural Ministry,” on behalf of Catholic Rural Life. ($1 million from Lilly Endowment).
- 2018 – Co-director, Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought Law and Public Policy, Center for Catholic Studies, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2016 – 18 Advisor, Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought Law and Public Policy, Center for Catholic Studies, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2011-13 Senior Seminary Leadership: Accreditation Preparation and Site Visitation. The Association of Theological Schools.
- 2010-15 Senior Seminary Leadership: Comprehensive revision and review of all graduate program goals and outcomes of The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2002-05 Department Chair, Department of Catholic Studies, University
- of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2007 – 19 Member, Board of Directors. National Catholic Rural Life Conference (USA).
- 2008 – 19 Member, Board of Advisors. The International Catholic Rural Association, Palazzo San Calisto, Vatican City.
- 2006 – Censor librorum. Archdiocese of Saint Paul/Minneapolis.
- 2017- Faculty Representative. Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Grant Drafting Committee, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
- 2017-19 Theological Consultant. Archdiocese of Anchorage, AK.
- 2016 Volunteer: The Good Grocer. A member operated grocery store helping families in need to get access to healthy food at affordable prices. Minneapolis, MN.
- 2015/16 Volunteer. Holy Family Surgery Center, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1992 – Annual Instructor. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Parish, Saint Paul, MN.
