Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Lamentations over the destruction of this magnificent temple of devotion to the Mother of God were as heartfelt as they were appropriate. As the flames leapt higher and higher, it seemed like a darkness was descending upon the spirit of all who have worshiped within the walls of the cathedral at the heart of Paris.

Distinctly Catholic: Former White House advisor Steve Bannon and others like him are defending the stench, making excuses for the policies which are so obviously opposed to Christian ethics and explicit Catholic teaching, feeding the tyrant and stoking the fear he uses to justify his repugnant policies.

A a recent conference Mark Silk offered a presentation entitled, "Judeo-Christian: From Anti-Fascist to Neo-Fascist." Silk's paper was so smart, I asked permission to publish it here at Distinctly Catholic and Silk graciously agreed. 

Distinctly Catholic: We should entrust theology to theologians for the reasons Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan cites in his latest essay on NCR. One can, without realizing it, start down a road that ends in heresy, and a thoughtful theologian might save you the trip.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Cupich reaffirms priest after false allegation; democracy means protecting free speech; perinatal hospice care as an alternative to late-term abortion.

Distinctly Catholic: When a friend first sent me Pope Emeritus Benedict's article about the root causes of clergy sex abuse, I thought the text was a hoax. It is full of difficulties, getting so much about the sex abuse crisis wrong.

Distinctly Catholic: EWTN's Raymond Arroyo makes no attempt to appear balanced when discussing the church. His news magazine is a propaganda arm of the anti-Francis, pro-Trump Catholic brigade.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Democrats lack staff diversity; Puerto Rico still suffers; the danger of self-sabotage by Democrats ahead of the presidential candidate nomination; the IRS needs more auditors

Distinctly Catholic: What are the possibilities and the potential pitfalls of this renewed interest in religion on the left?

The New Jersey senator checks so many different boxes that other candidates leave unchecked, it is hard to see why he has not catapulted to the top of the polls. Still, he might be a sleeper in the race.

Distinctly Catholic: Washington will be welcoming a southern gentleman to its cathedral. I couldn't be happier about the appointment of Archbishop Wilton Gregory to lead the polarized city on the Potomac.

Distinctly Catholic: We need bold government action to face climate change, solidify the Affordable Care Act and address racism. Let hope marry pragmatism as we pursue solutions.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Appraising affirmative action; anti-Semitism on the left; Archbishop Chaput frets; Mayor Pete rises to stardom.

Distinctly Catholic: Populist blowhards like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage may have focused the outrage of the hoi polloi, but it was the elites themselves who made the sense of grievance plausible.

Distinctly Catholic: The departure of Ascension's CEO is a good first step towards Catholic health care systems reexamining their executive compensation packages, but it is only a first step.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Trump's animus toward Puerto Rico; Cardinal Dziwisz's defense of John Paul II on abuse; GOP still attacking Obamacare.

Distinctly Catholic: Democrats are right to insist that the full report be released to Congress. But they should not overreach, or act like little children who did not get their way.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Ascension's CEO is resigning from the health care giant; Catholic social teaching revisited; stop bashing Australia's justice system; hate crime count is up; arguing for the inherent goodness of humans

Distinctly Catholic: If I had a gay nephew or niece who was wondering how to reconcile their sexuality with their faith, I would give them a book like this as an intro to the issues they must consider.

Distinctly Catholic: He's charismatic, authentic and upbeat, but can Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke achieve more than his happy-talk optimism, get up to debating speed on policy and become a serious candidate?