Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: Too often, we speak as if Catholic social teaching just dropped from the sky with Pope Leo XIII. Msgr. John Strynkowski shares his paper exploring the foundations of the movement.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: what single-payer health care has going for it; Cupich bans guns from Chicago churches; a "pro-lifeish" Democrat.

Distinctly Catholic: I hope Fr. Judge's sainthood cause prospers. Not because he was gay, but because he was a selfless priest who died bringing the consolation of Christ on 9/11.

Distinctly Catholic: Republicans in Congress have not abandoned what appears to be an effort to dial the country back to Dickensian times, proposing "mini-audits" on low- to moderate-income people, especially those with children.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: rabbis could teach bishops something about leadership; a 2020 presidential bid litmus test that's good; incomes rise, but the gap remains

Distinctly Catholic: Comments from Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Dick Durbin at Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing were irregular, but they show such hearings to be farcical — and that ​Catholics are still powerful.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: DACA editorial; Barbados bishop calls for debt relief after Hurricane Irma; Bannon declares war on Congress

Distinctly Catholic: When Steve Bannon said, "They need illegal aliens to fill the churches," I think he was onto something, just not what he thought he was onto.

Distinctly Catholic: Fr. Jim Martin is a treasure. He has endured vulgar and childish tweets from others, but his works will be read long after such fire-eaters have been forgotten.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: a DACA priest; advice for the Democrats; homophobia in the Catholic Church; a song to stir the soul in dark times.

Distinctly Catholic: These young Americans should come out of the shadows, but the undocumented immigrants who did not qualify for DACA should also be able to come out of the shadows.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Elizabeth Warren's faith; Louisiana governor shows a way for Democrats; how Reagan paved the way for Trump.

Distinctly Catholic: I cannot think of a single thing that would improve the quality of American democracy — and society — than to have a stronger labor movement. 

Distinctly Catholic: An education-funding measure that will help both public and private schools is a victory for the common good -- along with other instances of legislative concord.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: What floods bring to the surface; funding education in Illinois; Arpaio's record; a hymn of praise and beauty.

Distinctly Catholic: The teaching of the Second Vatican Council on the liturgy, the reform it both reflected and continued, is indeed "irreversible" as the pope said.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Gospel reflection; Cupich as Chicago's voice of reason; the Falwell "flophouse"; Gorka out of the White House.

Distinctly Catholic: Catholics represent only a sliver of the Moldova's population, but because of assistance from Catholic organizations, they are able to help their fellow Moldovans.​

Distinctly Catholic: Trump's Phoenix rally shows how his entire approach to politics is at odds with the approach church teaching calls for. The differences are foundational.

Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: Michael Moore on the Democrats; Trump and God; a designer Instagram dustup; data shows more Catholics backed Clinton.