Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: The Boston College theologian and law professor's book brings Christian moral theologians into dialogue with the American legal tradition, yielding real insights.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Irresponsible "doctors" and the queen of pseudoscience on Fox News; Bishop Barron builds an empire; Puerto Rico lags in testing capabilities.

Distinctly Catholic: Unless Biden begins showing up and articulating his vision for a post-virus, pro-worker America, we all need to start preparing ourselves for a diet of crumbs.

A roundup of political news and commentary: The role media plays in White House disinformation; scapegoats crafted by president's core supporters; who should be Biden's running mate?

Distinctly Catholic: Massimo Faggioli is asking why this reformist pope has not moved forward on two areas of internal church reform, the restoration of a female diaconate and the request from the Amazon synod to ordain older, married men.

Distinctly Catholic: All thoughts turn to this question, made more difficult because Trump is so unlike previous presidents, and because the coronavirus has completely upended anything like social normalcy.

A roundup of political news and commentary: Robert Christian writes about how the pandemic exposes libertarianism's limits; Trump's name delays stimulus checks; the economy may not just bounce back.

Distinctly Catholic: In these dark days, people turn to the institutions of government and of the church. While these institutions are not above reproach, I was horrified by an essay published recently at NCR.

A roundup of political news and commentary: What are meritocrasies good for; can Joe Biden step up; SCOTUS rules in favor of common good; GOP and the case against voting by mail; more safety nets and competence, please

Distinctly Catholic: Only if we understand how totally — and understandably — rejected Jesus was on Good Friday can we grasp how radically different God's verdict was, and so make the joy of that first Easter our own.

Distinctly Catholic: We feel powerless in the face of this pandemic. Jesus chose to be powerless before the Sanhedrin, before Herod, before Pilate, before history. Let us imitate him in his powerlessness.

Distinctly Catholic: On Holy Thursday, we especially celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood and the command to love, all first given at the Last Supper. Those of us who are serious about staying at home so as to do our part and not make things worse for those front-line workers, we are, as it were, washing their feet with our obedience to the common good.

A roundup of political news and commentary: Republican entitlement; rationality and trust in Germany; is deep-state mistrust serving our interests; firing a Navy captain; "essential" workers deserve better pay; rustbelt memoir; religious liberty and shelter-in-place

Distinctly Catholic: It is vital that the Democrats do everything they can to make sure the American people know which party is standing up against executive bonuses and stock buybacks with taxpayer money.

Social service and emergency care providers are pressed to find new ways to address people's needs in a time of health care crisis around the world. How will the pandemic change the way the church's social mission is perceived — and supported — in the future?

Distinctly Catholic: "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." The spirit of this quote has been resurrected as our political leaders try and figure out how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

A roundup of political commentary links: Logic of the scapegoat; don't deny science; we miss Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete; the White House has taken a Darwinian approach to federalism

Global crises can lead to seismic changes or just clarify current challenges and possibilities. What kind of shift is taking place as people experience the Eucharist virtually and apart? NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors. This is Part 2 of three parts and includes six responders.

Distinctly Catholic: It will take more than COVID-19 to kill the ideologies of our day that distort our political landscape. But let's try slaying some of the ideological stupidities the crisis has brought into focus.

It is a time of profound change. NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors, asking them to consider what closed buildings and separation could mean for the church in the long term. This is Part 1 of three parts, focusing on community, and includes seven responders.