Michael Sean Winters

As early as February, the Mueller investigation into Russian interference could take center stage. The campaign for a Democratic presidential nominee will be a chaotic struggle between the neo-liberal wing and the populists. And pro-life Democrats will need to find a place in the party.

Distinctly Catholic: U.S. Catholic life in 2018 was marked by two major stories, one a reprise and the other just beginning, and one story that did not happen, the ecclesial dog that did not bark.

Distinctly Catholic: The president dominated the news cycle this year, all year, as he has for three years, and that makes 2018 a bad one.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Anti-Semitism on the left; Archbishop Gregory updates on sex abuse crisis; man fundraising for Trump's wall exposed as fraud; Illinois attorney general called out for grandstanding with abuse dossier; the cult of RGB

Distinctly Catholic: Human nature is changed and uplifted precisely because our God chose to don it. Human nature, you might say, was the first "gay apparel" of Yuletide.

Distinctly Catholic: On Christmas Day, Salt + Light TV will debut its new documentary "Magisterium of the People: The Story of the People's Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia." I encourage everyone to watch this splendid film.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: moral inadequacy of carbon tax; judge who condemned Flynn is a hero; U.S. bishops conference on death of girl at border; Bishop Barron appears on right-wing radio show

Distinctly Catholic: If ever there were a time for patience, it is in the delivery of assessments about the trial of Cardinal George Pell. But the rush is on.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Penance for "little monsters"; taxes on nonprofit parking lots; Mulvaney's "odio a Puerto Rico"; Ratzinger on new evangelization

Distinctly Catholic: Fox News promotes social Darwinism when it refuses to offer human dignity to the refugees coming to the United States.

Distinctly Catholic: Bishop Robert Barron reportedly has 1.6 million Facebook fans and 130,000 followers on Twitter; his YouTube videos have 34 million views. I am not among the fans.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: More and more Pinocchios; investigating the Puerto Rico oversight board; Christmas memes; the cost of climate change.

Distinctly Catholic: I have never been much of a fan of the Puritans who first settled New England, nor of the habits of mind and piety that their name describes.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Call to save D.C.'s Providence Hospital; debt-free college will cost progressives; Heisman winner apologizes; Tecate dignifies migrants

Distinctly Catholic: Through all my upbringing, studies, scholarship and connections, it never occurred to me that I would live to see in this country the kinds of attacks on democracy we see today.

Distinctly Catholic: Despite the relationship between American civil religion and the Christian faith, the state funeral of President George H.W. Bush demonstrated that the Christian church has something meaningful to say.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau defanged; Ocasio-Cortez earns "four Pinocchios"; workplace discrimination against pregnant women

Distinctly Catholic: When you hear someone say that President George H.W. Bush was such a decent man, remember what he was willing to do to gain the presidency. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Franklin Graham defends Trump; New Age guru considers presidency run; Paul Ryan's legacy; the world's worst boss.

Distinctly Catholic: For several years now, I have been fretting about the disappearance of the holy season of Advent. In faith, we believe that Jesus will come at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.