Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: One of the most remarkable oddities of our time is that the political party led by someone whose career is one continuous form of self-promotion has been embraced by many people who claim to believe that he who said "blessed are the meek" is the savior of the world.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Ethicists on the Soleimani assassination; bystanderism and the lessons of the Holocaust; taking down "political hobbyists"; rebuilding Notre Dame.

Distinctly Catholic: By lashing itself to President Trump, the mainstream pro-life movement has morally and indelibly compromised its cause. But the Catholic left also appears unequal to the moment.

Roundup of political news and commentary: Levin diagnoses our culture's dire situation; Biden, Buttigieg hold retreats for donors; Suspicions about Buttigieg; International Monetary Fund notes '20s parallels.

Distinctly Catholic: It is grimly ironic that 30 years after "we won" the Cold War, a new curtain has come down, this one made of political self-interest and not of iron and running right down the center of the U.S. Senate chamber.

Distinctly Catholic: The drama of Cardinal Robert Sarah's book shows it was obvious that someone was taking advantage of the retired pope. Benedict's window to the world, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, has got to go.

Roundup of political news and commentary: The nonprofit Knights of Columbus can't engage in partisan politicking; look into the Fairness For All Act; the nuance of what Sen. Bernie Sanders said to Sen. Elizabeth Warren; Trump likes farmers, so what

Distinctly Catholic: At last night's debate, the candidates resisted the temptation to get into a tit-for-tat shouting match. But anyone who is going to beat Trump has to demonstrate some toughness and a bare knuckles debate might have given some insight there. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: A powerful, sad look at El Paso; the worst option for health care; primary dynamics; from a disastrous headline to the priesthood.

Distinctly Catholic: It will surprise some people that if you break down the religious left by denomination, the largest single group is Catholics, with fully a quarter of those who are liberal and churchgoing, followed by mainline Protestants.

Distinctly Catholic: While Congress fought over impeachment and we almost went to war with Iran, you'd be forgiven for missing the news about Homeland Security sharing information with the Census Bureau.

Distinctly Catholic: The court can help by revoking a lower court decision that reorganized the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico, which could have the effect of unfreezing funds involved in litigation.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: A must-read interview about the Holocaust Museum; Bloomberg focuses on Florida; U.S. languages mapped; dogs, cats and religion.

Distinctly Catholic: Whatever consequences the killing of Soleimani has on the Mideast, you can bet some Democrats will so bungle their response that Trump's decision will end up helping him in the Midwest.

Roundup of political news and commentary: How Democrats can treat pro-life voters; neoliberalism is dead; the tax code is great for giant corporations; here's a way Donald Trump is not for religious freedom

Distinctly Catholic: U.S. bishops should condemn the practice of CatholicVote.org and their crass use of the decision to attend Mass as a source of political information that contradicts our American and our Catholic traditions.

Distinctly Catholic: What should we be looking for in the life of the church this year? What issues and personalities will likely change the trajectory of ecclesial history?

Distinctly Catholic: These are the big U.S. political stories to watch for as the new year unfolds, and the biggest might not even be the Senate impeachment trial.

Distinctly Catholic: Center on Budget Policy and Priorities deserves applause; universities are removed from ordinary Catholic life, too; checking the media's "centrist bias"; SEALs from Edward Gallagher's platoon speak out

Distinctly Catholic: Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. It is the end of the year, a time for looking back and looking forward. Today, I look back at some of the mistakes I made this past year and ask forgiveness for them.