Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: To what degree have the U.S. bishops, and the staff they have assembled at the conference headquarters in Washington, embraced the magisterium of Pope Francis and to what degree are they resisting his lead?

Distinctly Catholic: I continue to regret Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron's insistence on the idea that an impediment to evangelization is the "dumbing down of the faith" he believes has plagued the post-conciliar church. 

Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops are firm in their commitment to rhetorical mush, steadfast in the defense of compromise, decisive about their indecision, bold in their proclamation of the banal. 

Distinctly Catholic: It was the best of our church. It was the worst of our church. It was a time for evangelization and a time for churlish retrenchment. It was last Thursday.

All politics evidences original sin in varying degrees. But what we see with the president and his cast of sycophants and co-conspirators — some of them beginning to flee the sinking ship on advice of counsel — is a rare thing: All seven deadly sins on display at once.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Voters turn out in the Bluegrass State; detainee pulled off life support; Warren vs. Wall Street snowflakes; Atlantic City lessons for the GOP.

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis has offered the church a way to answer the question about change that, I believe, is so important and obvious that we sometimes overlook it, and that is his emphasis on synodality. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Warren's Medicare plan scares Wall Street, while Buttigieg gains up on Biden. The bishops' conference promotes civility; Obama calls out "woke" activists; the tender relationship between Monserrat Caballe and Freddie Mercury.

Distinctly Catholic: The social and ecological and ecclesial and political are all interrelated, not only in the Amazon to be sure, but interrelated there in such a way that if we do not root out the sin that has permeated these various realities, the region, and with it the whole planet, are endangered.

Distinctly Catholic: Nothing so exemplifies the culture warrior approach as the denial of the Eucharist to pro-choice politicians, and that approach has failed to persuade others to oppose abortion.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Denying Biden Communion convinces no one, and scandalizes many; how bad is climate change? Questioning patriotism is a bad call

Distinctly Catholic: In the face pressing issues like Hispanic ministry, environment, immigration and emerging schism, the U.S. bishops' conference shows the lack of nimbleness we expect from a bureaucracy.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Impeachment and originalism; turning young people off religion; discussing Cathleen Kaveny; the Washington Nationals' chaplain.

Distinctly Catholic: Like the church, the meeting is traditional but unpredictable; mainstream society will largely ignore it; and it is difficult to believe in the current leadership.

Distinctly Catholic: The common theme from all these critics is that we in the West are the ones with the truth, that those in the Amazon are the ones who need instructing, that their pagan ways must be "overthrown" and replaced. And, of course, that all this is Pope Francis' fault.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Text of Archbishop of Canterbury's homily should be commended; death to irony for the GOP; that elusive Catholic vote

Distinctly Catholic: The "No we can't" wing and the "I dreamed a dream" wing had better learn quickly not to attack each other too nastily or they could lose the opportunity to defeat Trump.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Hillary Clinton throws in some unneeded distraction; moving a determined voting bloc; panel discussion Oct. 28 at Boston College; new books by Eric Foner and Timothy Eagan

Distinctly Catholic: It is one thing to disagree with a president, but quite another to feel ashamed at what he has done in the nation's name. His abandonment of the Kurds is utterly indefensible.

Distinctly Catholic: Some criticized inviting Trump's attorney general to speak, but debating ideas is what universities should be about. But given the nonsense of his talk, Notre Dame shouldn't ask him back.