Michael Sean Winters

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Rhoades keeps being unclear; bishops ensure "discord will reign supreme"; more Trump power abuse; a Nigerian writer takes on Twitter; let movies be movies.

Distinctly Catholic: Chris Matthews, former host of "Hardball," has a new autobiography out. It reads like you would expect a book by Matthews to read: It is rambunctious, smart, attentive and fearless.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Pope Francis reaffirms workers' right to organize; cooling buildings with paper; a smaller Statue of Liberty headed to U.S.; keeping Jeff Bezos in space.

Distinctly Catholic: What we witnessed last week at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' spring meeting was outrageous. Does the conference leadership understand that there was no synodality last week at their meeting?

Distinctly Catholic: The proponents of drafting a document probably win the ballot. But they have lost something far greater. They have divided the conference in ways it has never been divided in my lifetime, perhaps ever.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Catholic News Agency "updates" a bunk story; Archbishop Vigneron on sowing division; an interview with Gloria Purvis; mayors need national thanks.

Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. bishops meet, all eyes will be focused on whether they will agree to draft a document on the Eucharist — a proposal that originated after Biden's election. Get ready for lousy arguments.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Tax hikes on the wealthy and confronting gross inequality; hopefully overcoming polarization; the debate on eucharistic coherence

Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. bishops are set to begin a Zoom meeting, they are in crisis: They are at each other's throats. They need to meet face-to-face, and they need to read Francis' letter to Cardinal Marx.

Distinctly Catholic: The Pro Publica report is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in years, if only they will snatch it up and run with it.

Distinctly Catholic: For U.S. Catholics in this moment, empathy demands that we view those with whom we disagree in the most favorable light. So, today, I should like to defend the culture warrior bishops.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Taxing corporations; free speech and the American Civil Liberties Union; Netanyahu's departure; synodal strides since 1985; gardens and climate change.

Distinctly Catholic: With 23 pending decisions in June for the U.S. Supreme Court, we will be watching how far the conservative majority will go in overturning precedents it does not like, and reaching sweeping decisions that fundamentally change the legal landscape.

Distinctly Catholic: Donald Trump is reportedly telling people that he expects to be reinstated as president in August. This is way beyond ridiculous but, sadly, it is not a laughing matter.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: A bracing interview on "culture wars"; Democratic candidate wins by a landslide in New Mexico; The Post looks into claims from "Masterpiece"

Distinctly Catholic: Will Liberty University continue along a hyper-politicized iteration of evangelical higher education, or aim for an educational culture focused more on the evangelical faith that inspired its founding?

Distinctly Catholic: Each generation faces new challenges, but none have been forced to confront the kind of internal, existential threat to democracy that President Abraham Lincoln confronted. Until now.

Distinctly Catholic: Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez is charging ahead with steps to approve the drafting of a text about pro-choice politicians being barred from holy Communion.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: The president welcomes George Floyd's family; a Republican officeholder with a conscience; Working-Class Bill of Rights; Lesley Stahl's journalistic ethics.