Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." The spirit of this quote has been resurrected as our political leaders try and figure out how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

A roundup of political commentary links: Logic of the scapegoat; don't deny science; we miss Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete; the White House has taken a Darwinian approach to federalism

Global crises can lead to seismic changes or just clarify current challenges and possibilities. What kind of shift is taking place as people experience the Eucharist virtually and apart? NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors. This is Part 2 of three parts and includes six responders.

Distinctly Catholic: It will take more than COVID-19 to kill the ideologies of our day that distort our political landscape. But let's try slaying some of the ideological stupidities the crisis has brought into focus.

It is a time of profound change. NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors, asking them to consider what closed buildings and separation could mean for the church in the long term. This is Part 1 of three parts, focusing on community, and includes seven responders.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Texas bishops call out one of their own; senators display ideological blinders; the Times becomes a caricature of itself; and more.

Distinctly Catholic: Who are the 10% of Americans who do not feel that strongly one way or another about President Donald Trump that their attitudes are either unregistered or now in flux?

A roundup of political news and commentary: To open the economy early; making of a stimulus package; Georgetown University pays its food service contractors while closed; solidarity in the time of social distancing

Distinctly Catholic: That the president would be willing to expose unseen thousands of people to an early death in order to increase his reelection prospects is no surprise, but why are Catholics following this libertarian suit against protecting life?

Distinctly Catholic: This week, Senate Democrats refused to be bullied into signing off on a bill with no oversight, and our democracy is a bit more safe.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Remembering Archbishop Pilarczyk; full-blown Malthusian ugliness at the White House; Elizabeth Warren still the Democrats' "ideas factory."

Distinctly Catholic: It is up to Biden — and to all Democrats running for office this fall — to remind voters that the party has always believed government can be a force for good in people's lives, a belief that is not utterly self-evident.

Distinctly Catholic: To those who object that it is morally wrong to politicize a crisis, I remind them that the goal of electoral politics is to gain political power so as to achieve particular objectives, the first of which is protecting the citizenry.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Some showing indifference to health of others; coronavirus will reveal class lines; Democratic Illinois representative loses his seat; new book says Trump is not an aberration

Distinctly Catholic: Moments like these bring people to show their truest selves, if not always their best selves. Holding out false hopes is dangerous. It encourages people to not take the threat seriously.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Ideological purposes of coronavirus; St. Patrick's Day in Boston; Trump administration's response to the crisis; Bernie Sanders' policies

Distinctly Catholic: By the 1980s, it was clear that conservative Catholics were firmly in the Republican camp and more liberal Catholics stayed with the Democrats. 

Distinctly Catholic: If former Vice President Joe Biden is still in the driver's seat this time next week and as he starts considering running mates, he has to remember that his two biggest obstacles to victory in November remain his dismal numbers with young people and Latinos. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Catholic hospitals' anti-union policies clash with bishops' guidelines; the Post throws shade at the Times; Happy anniversary, Holy Father.

Distinctly Catholic: Progressive Catholics who have not yet voted should cast their ballots for Sanders. The larger the delegate share Sanders brings to the convention this summer, the better.