Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: 2020 began with the U.S. bishops' ad limina visits offering the chance for frank conversations with Pope Francis, but by year's end, opposition to him in the U.S. church was as strong as ever.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Two governors talk about their responses to the coronavirus pandemic; President Donald Trump makes a deal with Saudi Arabia; looking at how Americans remember the pilgrims. 

Distinctly Catholic: For all his brilliance at marshaling resentments in the zeitgeist for political ends, the president's ignorance of history meant that he failed to recognize one of history's most elementary lessons.

A Christmas Eve roundup of songs of joy: "Once in a Royal David's City," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Jessye Norman ethereal's "O Holy Night," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" done the right way

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis' essay and book share the thoughts of this most gifted parish priest at this terrible time of pandemic. I can't think of anything like this degree of self-revelation in the writings of an incumbent pontiff.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doesn't get seated; neo-Nazis in Germany's police force; one-third of Americans teeter on the brink of losing the roof over their heads

Distinctly Catholic: On Friday, millions of "C & E Catholics" — those who only get to Mass on Christmas and Easter — will become "E Catholics" only because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Distinctly Catholic: No one is better equipped to help heal the nation and restore confidence in government than Biden. But in order to unite the country, he needs the cooperation of the Republicans, or of at least some of them.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Where solidarity meets expertise; bipartisan deal at McConnell's mercy; Cordileone backs Chaput, but still neither is archbishop of D.C.

Distinctly Catholic: Witness the "Jericho March," Dec. 12 in Washington, D.C., exposing the core problem with the conservative iteration of the alliance of throne and altar: reducing religion to ethics and thence to politics.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Lay input picking bishops; limits of a primarily racial lens on U.S. politics; what saved the republic; a working first lady and first dude.

Distinctly Catholic: Gaudete Sunday anticipates the coming feast, breaking through the penitential season to remind us what is in store at the end of our period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Distinctly Catholic: The easiest way to make sure future generations have less chance of enduring another post-election mess is to eliminate the Electoral College, which turns our national elections into 51 micro-elections.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: New jobs have to be climate-healing ones; why are Republicans on a sinking ship still; democracy crisis; want to Parler?

Distinctly Catholic: The emeritus archbishop of Philadelphia has come out of retirement to explain to his benighted brother bishops that an impending scandal looms: Joe Biden might be given Communion. The horror!

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Retooling the way Democrats engage voters instead of polling them; disregard of facts isn't only a U.S. problem; idolatry of comfort.

Distinctly Catholic: The implosion of the Trump presidency has its tragic aspect, but it is not a tragedy. It is a farce. It is chaotic, narcissistic, the whole presidency in compact and distilled form.

Distinctly Catholic: The decision in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo leads to a frightening conclusion: Five of the Supreme Court justices are ideologues, at least on the issue at stake.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Georgia's secure election process; Obama critics; missile interception technology is here; class consciousness; Michael Sean Winters on the radio

Distinctly Catholic: When Francis expresses his concern about Catholic groups that chart their own path, his words are a challenge to those on both the left and the right who discount thinking with the church.