Michael Sean Winters

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.

Distinctly Catholic's twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: First Amendment history; last-minute immigration work by outgoing administration; real Mass is best, but no Mass is not the answer

Distinctly Catholic: As the cardinal-archbishop of the nation's capital, Wilton Gregory becomes face of the Catholic Church in the political sphere and the natural point man for dealing with the incoming Biden administration.

A Thanksgiving Day roundup of songs of gratitude: Includes variations of "Te Deum," a trumpet-rich version of Bach's "Now thank we all our God," and "Let All Things Now Living" by the First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska

Distinctly Catholic: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We all have lists of things for which we are grateful, but, as Catholic Christians, the first obligation of gratitude is toward God.

A twice-weekly round-up of political news and commentary: Looking at why certain minorities are tilting toward the right; welcoming the stranger and rebuilding immigration policy; Republican leaders cast doubt on voting itself

Distinctly Catholic: It is next to impossible to imagine a Republican Party that is communitarian, but the GOP of the future could embrace liberty in the manner of the great founder of modern conservative politics, Edmund Burke.

Distinctly Catholic: I am not sure how I got on the email list for the Trump-Pence campaign, but I am glad I did.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Bishop Barron's fierce words underwhelm; Politico examines election's hard data, Biden's transition team picks and a major Democratic failure.

Distinctly Catholic: As president of the U.S. bishops' conference, Archbishop Gomez needed to stand up to the pressure for this statement, which was churlish and unbecoming. Instead, he decided to swim with the culture warriors.

Distinctly Catholic: On Day One of the bishops' meeting, we saw all the things that served to cover up the sins of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and that now keep the bishops from acknowledging the sins of John Paul II.

Distinctly Catholic: The fall assembly raises the question again: Will the U.S. bishops continue to resist the direction Pope Francis is trying to steer the church or will they engage his evangelical vision?

Distinctly Catholic: At their 2020 fall meeting, the U.S. bishops should abandon the culture-warrior approach, be guided by concern for the common good, and build communion by focusing on poverty and racism.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: McCarrick report exposes the credibility of some in the Catholic press; Viganò publishes a reply; Fox News host's expression says it all.

Distinctly Catholic: The McCarrick report is really about the ways the culture of the Catholic hierarchy dealt with the sin and crime of sex abuse, and how that culture changed over four pontificates.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: How Biden won Pennsylvania; a look at the Latino vote; Don't undersell Biden's victory; Republicans' problem is not the 'power vacuum.'

Distinctly Catholic: The president-elect, a lifelong moderate, must challenge the Senate to rise to the occasion and not settle for inadequate policies that fail to address the clamant needs of the American people.

Distinctly Catholic: Even if former Vice President Joe Biden wins, the result is frightening. Half the country was only too willing to let lower angels run amok in their minds and hearts.

Distinctly Catholic: There was no sweeping victory. The challenge for the church is obvious, and it begins as all spiritual growth does with an examination of conscience. Whatever we have been trying in the past isn't working.

Twice-weekly round up of news and opinion: Viganò chimes in on Donald Trump and the deep state; early voting is high; listening to rural voters; what about Texas; what if Trump flees the country