Michael Sean Winters

"Reports." The word almost smells boring and managerial. Yet, as the synodal reports come together, if you look closely, you see that many of them are rooted in a deep spirituality, notes columnist Michael Sean Winters.

The Trump supporters calling for a constitutional convention are not the Founding Fathers, says columnist Michael Sean Winters. Their idea is a truly horrible one.



 

No writer did more to keep alive an awareness of the indignities working-class people experience than journalist Barbara Ehrenreich, says columnist Michael Sean Winters.

The cultlike allegiance to Trump on the part of too many Americans — and Christians — not only threatens democracy, it is a perversion of the Gospel, writes columnist Michael Sean Winters.

Columnist Michael Sean Winters is following, among other things, the poaching of sea cucumbers — and he doesn't mean how to cook them.

In Rome, Michael Sean Winters spoke with visiting cardinals and curial officials. All agreed that speculation that Francis' tenure is coming to its end is misplaced. But there was a sense that the papacy has entered a new phase.

Did you know the law firm the represents the U.S. bishops' conference has been a key player in the effort to move the judiciary to the right? Columnist Michael Sean Winters shares links to this and other news.

After the consistory that included a new U.S. cardinal, columnist Michael Sean Winters thinks the U.S. church's future is looking brighter than it has in a long time.

While Michael Sean Winters is in Rome for the consistory, he's still keeping his eye on the political scene back home.

The consistory for the creation of 20 new cardinals on Aug. 27 showed that Pope Francis is firmly in control of the global church, and shows no signs of slowing down. It is clear as day that his vision for the Catholic Church is taking root.

Cardinal-designate Robert McElroy is one of the nation's leading experts on John Courtney Murray, says Michael Sean Winters, who can't think of a better time for a new cardinal with expertise in religious liberty issues.

In advance of this week's consistory, columnist Michael Sean Winters highlights a number of Rome's titular churches with connections to U.S. cardinals.

The war in Ukraine is no longer leading the nightly news, but the people of Ukraine are still fighting for the values that put the light into Enlightenment, and they deserve all the help we can muster.

Catholic Leonard Leo's new Marble Freedom Trust just received a $1.6 billion donation, but the whole thing stinks, says political columnist Michael Sean Winters.

There are signs the Democrats might not get shellacked in this autumn's midterm elections, but don't count on that.

After losing her primary contest, Congresswoman Liz Cheney is hinting that she may consider a presidential bid, a both interesting and potentially dangerous idea.

After the defeat of Liz Cheney, Michael Sean Winters says this isn't your grandfather's Republican Party anymore. Also, Tish Harrison Warren on the distorting way religion appears, and is made to appear, in media culture.

Michael Sean Winters: In Canada, the number of people who end their lives through euthanasia is growing significantly, and the country has few safeguards in place. Americans should think twice before adopting similar laws.

As the midterm elections approach, politics is heating up. Michael Sean Winters rounds up news about GOP spin on IRS funding, Sen. Sinema's Wall Street loophole, election deniers and more.  

A recent criticism of synodality by a longtime critic of Pope Francis only shows the degree to which conservatives fear the process may change the church.