Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Let's admit it was a huge mistake for Pope Benedict XVI to get rid of the headache Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò was at the Vatican by making him America's headache, and let's thank Francis for preserving the dignity of the papacy.

Distinctly Catholic: Not since the battle over Americanism has there been a real fear that part of the U.S. Church could slip into schism. Regrettably, the bishops who came out in support of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò are all only too comfortable with the EWTN agenda.

Distinctly Catholic: Bella figura represented the ecclesial equivalent of the "decent respect for the opinions of mankind" of which the Declaration of Independence speaks. She also created rules of ecclesial engagement. These have died recently, victim to the cancer of power.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Perspectives on Viganò; a candidate's take on taking a knee in the NFL; benefits of a Trump endorsement; China in Africa.

Distinctly Catholic: Archbishop Charles Chaput appears on the conservative Hugh Hewitt show from time to time, and reading the transcripts is a penitential act. They show that he doesn't understand why people would be embarrassed to be identified with the Catholic Church.

Distinctly Catholic: Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is a trafficker in conspiracy theories who mixes fact, fiction and venom to produce something explosive but also suspicious.

Distinctly Catholic: Why does George conclude that it is sex that is the "poison in the bloodstream of the Church" and not the sin of pride of the bishops who covered it up?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: New book on Amoris Laetitia; Kavanaugh and Roe v. Wade; Labor Day resources; Sipe's speculations; redistricting fights.

Distinctly Catholic: Do mainstream media commentators recognize that they are being used to advance an agenda to provoke an anti-gay witch hunt within the Catholic clergy and defang Pope Francis' reform efforts?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Why remain Catholic? 'America' calls to disclose abusers' names; Giuliani speaks about 'truth'; Democrats battle for Pennsylvania

Distinctly Catholic: I watched Omarosa — who is enough of a star to be known universally by her first name, like Oprah — do her round of interviews last week, and she is brilliant and in a very specific way: She is brilliant the way Trump is brilliant.

Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops are the leaders of our church, and they must now act like leaders. They must accept corporate responsibility for the sins of their brothers. They must continue to work to change the clerical culture. They must beg forgiveness.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Kavanaugh is slavishly pro-business; ill effects of cozying up to Russia; impressions vs. reality in support for Trump.

Distinctly Catholic: As I read America's publication of Stephanie Slade's libertarian essay, I realized responding to it would be difficult. One question: Why was this published? 

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Subculture in seminaries; Bishop Barron joins discussion on McCarrick; There is no widespread voter fraud in this country; Football players who kneel

Distinctly Catholic: An important conversation has begun about how the US bishops should address the problems the McCarrick episode reveals, including an unhealthy hierarchic and clerical culture.

Distinctly Catholic:  As the scandal surrounding former cardinal Theodore McCarrick unfolds, I am concerned about commentaries that darken counsel instead of enlightening it.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Former president recounts Vatican meeting about suppressing abuse inquiry; Midwest election results; The Post weighs in on "collusion."

Distinctly Catholic: The fact that President Trump is now tweeting that "collusion is not a crime" shows the investigators have more concrete evidence that there was collusion or subornation or both.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Humanae Vitae and the McCarrick scandal; a missed chance to subpoena Cardinal Dziwisz; Kiribati's present, Miami's future.