Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: The forthcoming Supreme Court confirmation process will be largely dominated by discussions of abortion. But analyses wrongly assume a static political environment.

Distinctly Catholic: I do not see how a constitutional originalist can object to being asked any particular question, and none that would amount to a "religious test."

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Sr. Norma Pimentel's profile rises; a slate of Supreme Court news; civics for conspiracy theorists; "Trump City" in the '80s.

Distinctly Catholic: On a day to assess the health of our republic, we face recent developments that show the degree to which the entire GOP establishment has caved to Trumpism.

Distinctly Catholic: Inside Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty's The Problem of Wealth: A Christian Response to a Culture of Affluence, there is a great book trying to get out. 

Distinctly Catholic: Using the news last week to publish rumors about Cardinal Theodore McCarrick that still are unsubstantiated felt creepy, not cathartic, to me. Journalists should not say they know something until they actually do.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Consequences of Crowley's defeat in New York; religious liberty groups silent on travel ban decision; another link pops up between conservative Catholic organizations and right-wing political groups

Distinctly Catholic: With Supreme Court ruling against the union, solidarity lost a battle and I do not underestimate the severity of the loss. But it was not, it cannot be, a fatal blow.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Sarah Huckabee Sanders separated from her entrée, Cardinal Blase Cupich explains Romans 13 to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, An open letter to ICE officials

No one should have been surprised that Trump used immigrant families as pawns in his political games, but his callousness should signal that it is time for the church to resist.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Millennial calls family separation policy 'political violence'; Agreement on objections to Arroyo; Surprising origin for Nazi analogy

After years of covering up the sexual abuse of children, a regime of transparency and accountability is firmly enough in place that not even a cardinal can be considered above the law.

Distinctly Catholic: Why can't EWTN, fortified as it should be, with the clear teaching of the pope, the bishops and the Bible, stand up to Trump on the issue of immigration?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Pro-life silence on family separation; how women-led union efforts serve the common good; De Niro's Tony attack on Trump.

Distinctly Catholic: If in previous years the Democratic establishment's desire for the milquetoast middle was unsuccessful, in the years ahead it is the height of foolishness.

Distinctly Catholic: The spring meeting of the U.S. bishops' conference turned out to be livelier than expected: The divisions among the bishops continue to plague their effort, if it can be called an effort, to live up to the moral demands of the moment.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Rep. Sanford pays for criticizing Trump; Trump, Kim and "the best hotels"; Martin to speak at World Meeting of Families

Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops seem clueless about their present moral situation. President Trump is attacking their spiritual children. Where is the united voice of the episcopacy in this country?

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Catholic University's "academic renewal"; bishops and the new "Trail of Tears"; Obama and 2020 Democratic hopefuls.

Distinctly Catholic: U.S. bishops hold their spring meeting this week, and while they will discuss their statement on voting, they plan to neither replace nor revise the existing document.