Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Whatever is going on in conservative circles, if you had been at Seton Hall for Richard Trumka's talk, you would have seen how working-class folk feel about the pope.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Reactions to Cardinal Wuerl's pastoral plan; Israel deporting Africans; Democrats mobilize for governors' races but need to break with the left on cultural issues

Distinctly Catholic: The book was published by the Independent Institute, a self-described think tank, but, as this book demonstrates, it would be better described as a factory for libertarian propaganda.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Using the Supreme Court to attack unions; Mick Mulvaney's potshots at Elizabeth Warren; more anti-Francis sentiment

Distinctly Catholic: It is time for the ranting against Amoris Laetitia to stop. Throughout the pastoral plan, the cardinal cites beautiful and challenging passages, reminding us not to rely on what the pundits have to say about it.

Distinctly Catholic: It's more than a shame that U.S. State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs has been largely dismantled under the Trump administration. The need to analyze the role of religion in diplomacy is obvious.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Catholics should not reject environmental concern; anti-Semitism rising in Poland; it's not fake news; Milwaukee laundromat cleans for the homeless

Distinctly Catholic: We Catholics bring our prayers and beliefs to these horrific mass killings, but we bring much more to the effort to keep future such killings from happening.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Democratic Party continues self-destruction; Bishop Tobin calls out NRA; Real reasons American working has declined; Napa Institute's 'strategic partner'

Distinctly Catholic: It is difficult to determine whether to even call attention to nonsense like LifeSiteNews' story on a "new Vatican financial scandal." But someone has to expose this fraud for what it is.

Distinctly Catholic: The danger to the church in this lawsuit is obvious: If Mr. Janus can join a union and then seek to blow it up, why can't someone join the workforce at a Catholic university and then insist that he not be made to teach Aquinas?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: More interesting amicus curiae briefs in the Janus v. AFSCME​ case; Catholics are consistently pro-labor; free the world of art — and own up to your opinions

Distinctly Catholic: Catholic social doctrine and the facts of Janus v. AFSCME make the U.S. bishops' support of labor in this case logical and prudent. I am not a lawyer, but I am curious as to why Ed Whelan thinks he should oppose the bishops' brief "as a Catholic."

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: When bishops and the bishops' conference disagree; Democrat Conor Lamb's chances in Pennsylvania; "Year of the Dog" greetings

Distinctly Catholic: The wisdom of Martin Luther King "is more necessary than ever in our violent and fragmented society," writes the Baltimore archbishop. Can I get an amen?

Distinctly Catholic: Never mind facts — we want to both save money, and inspire the poor to improve themselves. But virtue is not only for the poor. It's for everybody.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Koch-backed group works to roll back laws for sick leave; Trump administration may target immigrant recipients of food aid; Benedict's "total obedience"

Distinctly Catholic: There is clear continuity in Catholic social teaching between the pre-conciliar papal magisterium, the documents of Vatican II, the papal magisteriums of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Ed Whelan needs a new research team; the polarization and necessity of raising up intellectuals in philosophy; Is the Democratic party beyond saving?

Distinctly Catholic: Part one of a review of book that demonstrates how and why the theology of the people had a formative impact on Jorge Maria Bergoglio, and also shows its continuing influence on his writings now that he is Pope Francis.