Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: President Joe Biden delivered his first address to Congress last night. It was not the best speech we have heard. It was some of the best politics we have heard in a long time.

Distinctly Catholic: Most of the speakers at an April 23 virtual conference, which focused on President Joe Biden's presidency, are confused in ways that are unique (and common) to ideologues.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: More faults of the Pennsylvania grand jury report; hopeful climate news from Denmark; saving the Democrats from themselves; a hit job on Cardinal Cupich.

Distinctly Catholic: President Biden announced climate policy changes that angered politicians and especially activists on both the right and the left — usually a telltale sign that the correct path has been charted.

Distinctly Catholic: Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich has told the community of St. Sabina to stop obstructing the investigation of their pastor, who is accused of sex abuse. The current situation is critical.

Distinctly Catholic: Best essay on religion; unionizing requires a culture shift; how about a wealth tax; recuse, Justice Coney Barrett; the imperfect definition of "nones"

Distinctly Catholic: Given the now routine incidences of U.S. gun violence, let's look at what John Noonan had to say years ago on the moral culpability of gun manufacturers in the mass shootings that now plague the nation.

Distinctly Catholic: Fr. Lou Cameli balances the issues involves in denying Communion to people in same-sex marriages; George W. Bush publishes a surprising op-ed; new student loan legislation is worth supporting.

Distinctly Catholic: Even though Leslie Woodcook Tentler carries the story too far, into the post-conciliar era, her American Catholics: A History is a major accomplishment — comprehensive, judicious and tells a good story.

Distinctly Catholic: For the retired pope's 94th birthday, a consideration of two aspects of his long life: his career as a theologian and why being a great theologian is no guarantee one will be a great pope.

Distinctly Catholic: Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, Nina Totenberg and Cokie Roberts featured in new book; an offending police officer fired; Puerto Rico's bid for self-determination; sidelined senators complain

Distinctly Catholic: The vote at the Alabama Amazon plant was a loss for organized labor. There is no way to sugarcoat that fact. Like every loss, there are lessons to be learned about future organizing efforts.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Lt. Caron Nazario sues police officers; conundrums of the Olympics; Democratic and Republican dictionaries; animals and pronouns; St. Joseph as a model.

Distinctly Catholic: The West Virginia senator's op-ed against eliminating the filibuster may be sincere, and it may be true to some of the Senate's finest traditions. But it is misplaced and counterproductive.

Distinctly Catholic: A politics aimed at alleviating the ill-effects of racism is highly moral, and the "justice" offered by reparations is a veneer. Black Americans and others who face the injustices of racism deserve more than that.

Distinctly Catholic: Msgr. John Strynkowski on where Catholic social teaching comes from; Supreme Court predictability; global minimum corporate tax proposal

Distinctly Catholic: President Biden's infrastructure bill and his American Rescue Plan represent a repudiation of Reaganomics, and the introduction of a new kind of social policy we should call Fratelli Tutti economics.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Pope Francis' chrism Mass homily; the 2020 Latino vote; 'everyday ethics and solidarity' of women religious; good news for labor and for tourists.

Distinctly Catholic: Now for some modern church history, from the archives of my great mentor, who describes efforts to better conform the U.S. church to the democratic tenor of the country and include priests in the consultation process for naming new bishops.

Distinctly Catholic: Of all Christian holidays, this is the day from which there are no ethical lessons to be drawn. Today is about something deeper, more primordial in Christian spirituality than mere ethics.