Michael Sean Winters

Whoever came up with the idea of framing the synod working document in terms of questions, rather than a draft text, deserves a bonus, says columnist Michael Sean Winters.
 

In part two of his review of "Siblings All, Signs of the Times," columnist Michael Sean Winters reiterates his strong recommendation of the book, citing important themes that speak to issues of synodality and politics.

A new book traces the differences between the inductive and deductive theological methods adopted by popes since Vatican II. Michael Sean Winters gives it a thumbs up.
 

With the most important conversations held behind closed doors, the U.S. bishops' spring meeting in Orlando did not impress columnist Michael Sean Winters.

A recent event about the slaves sold by Georgetown University in 1838 — and the subsequent moves to compensate their descendents — featured New York Times reporter Rachel Swarns, who has written a new book on the topic.

When the U.S. bishops consider new rules for transgender care at Catholic hospitals, Michael Sean Winters suggests listening to the Catholic Health Association, not the ideological National Catholic Bioethics Center.

The Supreme Court's decision in Allen v. Milligan to throw out an Alabama redistricting map that seemed designed to dilute the power of Black voters was good news for both voting rights and the court's legitimacy.

Pat Robertson, who died June 8, played a part in the coarsening of religious faith that  continues to harm the Christian churches, says NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters.

Just war theory is capable of adaptation and development to address new nightmares, columnist Michael Sean Winters took away from a panel at the recent College Theology Society conference.

Given how close the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was, the Democratic Party needs to be very disciplined, says Michael Sean Winters. There is no room for unserious challengers to Biden's renomination.

Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Tim Scott don't insist the 2020 election was stolen, but they all subscribe to neoliberalism that made Donald Trump possible, says Michael Sean Winters.

Synodality is "the most consequential development in ecclesiology since the close of Vatican II," says columnist Michael Sean Winters. So he's perplexed why it isn't even mentioned on the agenda for the U.S. bishops' upcoming meeting.

Columnist Michael Sean Winters reflects on what the Gettysburg Address can mean to Americans today, when the threats to democracy are internal, not external.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' focus on censorship and xenophobia — not to mention this apparent dislike of Disney — does not have columnist Michael Sean Winters thinking he is a leading contender for the Republican nomination for president.

Catholic and other groups have joined forces to support a bill in New York state that could alleviate suffering for some of the poorest nations, reports columnist Michael Sean Winters.

The video of the ecclesial gathering on synodality in March at Boston College captures important aspects that his own prose only hinted at, like liturgy and conviviality, writes columnist Michael Sean Winters.

If the Democrats don't change from "inside the Beltway" thinking, the alternative is too grim for columnist Michael Sean Winters to contemplate.

Columnist Michael Sean Winters has his satire hat on for this column praising Catholic conspiracy theorist Taylor Marshall's campaign for president.

Because Pope Francis is so at ease during meetings with local Jesuits when he travels, he often reveals much about himself and his papacy, says NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters.

Congress and the White House have until the end of the month to raise the debt ceiling. Michael Sean Winters says that while neither party is blameless, today's GOP depends on people who are fundamentally irresponsible.