Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Michael Sean Winters on what he considers the only three truly great inaugural addresses in U.S. history.

Distinctly Catholic: The day of Biden's inauguration will also be the 60th anniversary of the first time a Catholic became president. Much has changed in church and state. What, then, is the value of historical analogy?

Distinctly Catholic: Those who care about the future of the republic need to be politically adept, not just morally right. We cannot risk a repeat.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Lisa Montgomery's execution was judicial murder; Biden team's efforts for 2022 midterms; impeachment may be insufficient; workers fight back

Distinctly Catholic: We do not know — and God willing will never be forced to find out — the lengths to which Donald Trump would have gone to preserve his power, but trials must put what did happen Jan. 6 on record.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: After last week's attack, moral relativism that doesn't pass smell test; Arroyo projects on Fox News; and a beautiful spiritual reflection

Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. government is in transition, if liberals leave the populist instinct to conservatives, we can expect Trumpism to be back. It is clear what a liberal populism should focus on: narrowing economic inequality.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Georgia Senate results; How the Republican Party went feral; GOP's efforts to overturn election results; marketing to working-class voters

Distinctly Catholic: President Trump has been inciting violence for weeks. His sycophants in the Republican Party, Fox News and EWTN have repeated his nonsensical allegations. His supporters were listening.

Distinctly Catholic: 2020 taught us we never know what unforeseen events will enlighten or becloud all else. We can discern major themes that will shape 2021, but just before the year's end, a new one emerges.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Ridiculous challenges to election results; Sen. Warren's policy game; 20 states raise minimum wages while some billionaires are making even more billions.

Distinctly Catholic: Though the Trump saga will continue as a sideshow, after Jan. 20 the news will become dominated by decisions President Biden makes, new crises he must face, new votes in Congress.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Remembering Fr. Reginald Foster; Rep. Gohmert of Tyler, Texas, wants Vice President Pence to be able to count different electoral slates

Distinctly Catholic: 2020 began with the U.S. bishops' ad limina visits offering the chance for frank conversations with Pope Francis, but by year's end, opposition to him in the U.S. church was as strong as ever.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Two governors talk about their responses to the coronavirus pandemic; President Donald Trump makes a deal with Saudi Arabia; looking at how Americans remember the pilgrims. 

Distinctly Catholic: For all his brilliance at marshaling resentments in the zeitgeist for political ends, the president's ignorance of history meant that he failed to recognize one of history's most elementary lessons.

A Christmas Eve roundup of songs of joy: "Once in a Royal David's City," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Jessye Norman ethereal's "O Holy Night," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" done the right way

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis' essay and book share the thoughts of this most gifted parish priest at this terrible time of pandemic. I can't think of anything like this degree of self-revelation in the writings of an incumbent pontiff.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doesn't get seated; neo-Nazis in Germany's police force; one-third of Americans teeter on the brink of losing the roof over their heads

Distinctly Catholic: On Friday, millions of "C & E Catholics" — those who only get to Mass on Christmas and Easter — will become "E Catholics" only because of COVID-19 restrictions.