Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Are we at a turning point in our nation's long struggle with race? Will this time be different, as many hope? What role can the church play in helping the country rid itself of the scourge of racism?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Climate change and faith; climate change and insurance; Cardinal Viganò, Trump's new penpal; the "Defund the police" slogan; Lebron James speaks out.

Distinctly Catholic: Wilton Gregory, in his statement on President Trump's visit to the St. John Paul II shrine, was not partisan. He reminded us that the church stands for things that transcend political debates.

Distinctly Catholic: Some problems seem so intractable, it is hard to imagine a remedy. The human heart, with its knack for both faith and idolatry, so prone to receive grace and to commit sin, will never be fully cured this side of the abyss.

A twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Rebuilding an economy that is just; two sides of the "it's a sure thing" coin on Trump's reelection; where will the Republican National Convention be; opera houses of beauty

Distinctly Catholic: President Donald Trump went to the St. John Paul II National Shrine Tuesday for an international religious liberty event, the day after police used tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters from around St. John's Episcopal Church, so that Trump could hold a photo op.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Religious communities and climate change; Catholic statements about the killing of George Floyd; Trump the bully shrinks back; delaying aid to states.

Distinctly Catholic: If the premise for the conferral of liability protection is that social media platforms only serve as conduits for other people's information, then they really should not have to spend millions of dollars monitoring what is said on their platform.

Distinctly Catholic: Religious exercise in Minnesota is not threatened by a Democratic governor but by a nonpartisan virus. And the bishops there need a reminder about what the church actually teaches about religious liberty.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: What's going on at America magazine? "Dramatic rhetoric" instead of "difficult questions"; Most irresponsible academic op-ed of the year.

Distinctly Catholic: If by "Catholic vote" you mean those who vote this way or that way because they are Catholic, a quick examination of the shifting landscape shows there is no such thing.

Distinctly Catholic: Sorting through just what is meant by "the Catholic vote" and how it has developed will be key to understanding the dynamics of this November's election.  

Distinctly Catholic: If First Things has fallen, it has not fallen as far as Rod Dreher thinks it has, because the starting point for the fall was not nearly as high as he pretends.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Best Headline of 2020; Trump's "genius for creating confusion"; disheartened progressives; Stacey Abrams' qualifications.

Distinctly Catholic: It has become clear that former Vice President Joe Biden's choice for a running mate is not only a selection of a person, but of an approach to politics and to governance.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Biden's chances and VP choices; Maryknoll election briefs; the "hollowing out" of federal bureaucracy; where is the national mourning?

Distinctly Catholic: With six months to go, the Biden team could not even agree how to mount a digital campaign. All the while, Team Trump is out on the digital airwaves with attacks. The course of a virus is the unknown factor.

Distinctly Catholic: Suddenly, Catholic liberals who resist and resent the ministerial exception have to ask themselves if all that post-conciliar talk about "the priesthood of all believers" was real or not.

A twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Michael Flynn; May 18 Mass for JP2; why did Binzer resign; opportunity for the labor movement

Distinctly Catholic: May 8 was the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Victory in Europe Day, and things are different now. Perhaps it is President Donald Trump's ignorance of history that has kept him from recognizing the political opportunity the current crisis has offered him.