Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis has offered the church a way to answer the question about change that, I believe, is so important and obvious that we sometimes overlook it, and that is his emphasis on synodality. 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Warren's Medicare plan scares Wall Street, while Buttigieg gains up on Biden. The bishops' conference promotes civility; Obama calls out "woke" activists; the tender relationship between Monserrat Caballe and Freddie Mercury.

Distinctly Catholic: The social and ecological and ecclesial and political are all interrelated, not only in the Amazon to be sure, but interrelated there in such a way that if we do not root out the sin that has permeated these various realities, the region, and with it the whole planet, are endangered.

Distinctly Catholic: Nothing so exemplifies the culture warrior approach as the denial of the Eucharist to pro-choice politicians, and that approach has failed to persuade others to oppose abortion.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Denying Biden Communion convinces no one, and scandalizes many; how bad is climate change? Questioning patriotism is a bad call

Distinctly Catholic: In the face pressing issues like Hispanic ministry, environment, immigration and emerging schism, the U.S. bishops' conference shows the lack of nimbleness we expect from a bureaucracy.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Impeachment and originalism; turning young people off religion; discussing Cathleen Kaveny; the Washington Nationals' chaplain.

Distinctly Catholic: Like the church, the meeting is traditional but unpredictable; mainstream society will largely ignore it; and it is difficult to believe in the current leadership.

Distinctly Catholic: The common theme from all these critics is that we in the West are the ones with the truth, that those in the Amazon are the ones who need instructing, that their pagan ways must be "overthrown" and replaced. And, of course, that all this is Pope Francis' fault.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Text of Archbishop of Canterbury's homily should be commended; death to irony for the GOP; that elusive Catholic vote

Distinctly Catholic: The "No we can't" wing and the "I dreamed a dream" wing had better learn quickly not to attack each other too nastily or they could lose the opportunity to defeat Trump.

Twice-weekly roundup of political news and commentary: Hillary Clinton throws in some unneeded distraction; moving a determined voting bloc; panel discussion Oct. 28 at Boston College; new books by Eric Foner and Timothy Eagan

Distinctly Catholic: It is one thing to disagree with a president, but quite another to feel ashamed at what he has done in the nation's name. His abandonment of the Kurds is utterly indefensible.

Distinctly Catholic: Some criticized inviting Trump's attorney general to speak, but debating ideas is what universities should be about. But given the nonsense of his talk, Notre Dame shouldn't ask him back.

Roundup of political news and commentary: Democratic presidential hopefuls and funds; Xavier Rynne II is getting picked up; women wanted in elected office; Puerto Rico gets a finance deal; PovertyUSA public relations

Distinctly Catholic: If Sanders or Warren falters, the other benefits. Unless there are banana peels in their future, this race will now come down to effective campaigning and organizing in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: The case for soaking the rich; Democrats pander at LGBTQ town hall; comparing Sanders' and Warren's labor proposals.

Distinctly Catholic: How large is Newman in the landscape of Catholicism? The return to the sources in mid-20th-century theology could have happened in any one of a dozen different ways, but one of the principal ways that it did occur was through his pen.

Distinctly Catholic: Presidential and congressional candidates in districts that voted for Trump in 2016 need to craft off-ramps for voters who have come to question their decision to support him in the first place.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Reading the tea leaves on the Buffalo apostolic visitation; William Barr's "extraordinary argument";  Weinandy rants about Francis; Debunking claims of paganism at the pope's celebration of the feast of St. Francis.