Michael Sean Winters

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Bishop Barron's fierce words underwhelm; Politico examines election's hard data, Biden's transition team picks and a major Democratic failure.

Distinctly Catholic: As president of the U.S. bishops' conference, Archbishop Gomez needed to stand up to the pressure for this statement, which was churlish and unbecoming. Instead, he decided to swim with the culture warriors.

Distinctly Catholic: On Day One of the bishops' meeting, we saw all the things that served to cover up the sins of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and that now keep the bishops from acknowledging the sins of John Paul II.

Distinctly Catholic: The fall assembly raises the question again: Will the U.S. bishops continue to resist the direction Pope Francis is trying to steer the church or will they engage his evangelical vision?

Distinctly Catholic: At their 2020 fall meeting, the U.S. bishops should abandon the culture-warrior approach, be guided by concern for the common good, and build communion by focusing on poverty and racism.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: McCarrick report exposes the credibility of some in the Catholic press; Viganò publishes a reply; Fox News host's expression says it all.

Distinctly Catholic: The McCarrick report is really about the ways the culture of the Catholic hierarchy dealt with the sin and crime of sex abuse, and how that culture changed over four pontificates.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: How Biden won Pennsylvania; a look at the Latino vote; Don't undersell Biden's victory; Republicans' problem is not the 'power vacuum.'

Distinctly Catholic: The president-elect, a lifelong moderate, must challenge the Senate to rise to the occasion and not settle for inadequate policies that fail to address the clamant needs of the American people.

Distinctly Catholic: Even if former Vice President Joe Biden wins, the result is frightening. Half the country was only too willing to let lower angels run amok in their minds and hearts.

Distinctly Catholic: There was no sweeping victory. The challenge for the church is obvious, and it begins as all spiritual growth does with an examination of conscience. Whatever we have been trying in the past isn't working.

Twice-weekly round up of news and opinion: Viganò chimes in on Donald Trump and the deep state; early voting is high; listening to rural voters; what about Texas; what if Trump flees the country

Distinctly Catholic: It is good for Catholics to remind ourselves that the day after tomorrow, many of our nation's most intractable problems will require more than political solutions.

Distinctly Catholic: The fact that an evil is intrinsic tells us nothing about its significance for the common good and political life.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Advantage in drawing district lines; Latino vote in Pennsylvania; Democratic rising star in Georgia; smile-inducing news about lawyers; "American Heaven."

Distinctly Catholic: It is now as likely that Biden wins in a landslide as that Trump wins at all, but the only poll that matters is the one on Election Day.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: NCR on NPR; soon-to-be-Cardinal Wilton Gregory; racial equality and the minimum wage; catching up with Pope Pius XI; tricky climate politics.

Distinctly Catholic: Michael Warsaw wants Catholics to vote for Donald Trump's "long-term vision" for the country, without acknowledging COVID-19 deaths, racism, cruelty, libertarianism and irreparable harm to the planet.

Distinctly Catholic: The "mute" button allowed voters to hear Donald Trump and Joe Biden's answers in the final debate before the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Dune buggy rally for the president; seamless garment; district-level polls; domestic workers and COVID-19; check the meritocracy of the U.S.; oh, Canada