Distinctly Catholic

Michael Sean Winters analyzes the worlds of religion and politics and the always fascinating estuary where the two collide.

U.S. bishops' conference clearly divided between Team Francis, culture warriors

by Michael Sean Winters

Nov 13, 2019

Distinctly Catholic: To what degree have the U.S. bishops, and the staff they have assembled at the conference headquarters in Washington, embraced the magisterium of Pope Francis and to what degree are they resisting his lead?

US bishops: Consensus by bromides

by Michael Sean Winters

Nov 11, 2019

Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops are firm in their commitment to rhetorical mush, steadfast in the defense of compromise, decisive about their indecision, bold in their proclamation of the banal.

The church at its best and its worst, in one day

by Michael Sean Winters

Nov 11, 2019

Distinctly Catholic: It was the best of our church. It was the worst of our church. It was a time for evangelization and a time for churlish retrenchment. It was last Thursday.

The seven deadly sins of Donald Trump

by Michael Sean Winters

Nov 8, 2019

All politics evidences original sin in varying degrees. But what we see with the president and his cast of sycophants and co-conspirators — some of them beginning to flee the sinking ship on advice of counsel — is a rare thing: All seven deadly sins on display at once.

Columns ›

U.S. bishops' conference clearly divided between Team Francis, culture warriors

US bishops: Consensus by bromides

The church at its best and its worst, in one day

The seven deadly sins of Donald Trump

Links for 11/7/19

The question behind the synod: How can and should change happen in the church?

Links for 11/5/19

The Amazon synod is about the concept of social sin, not married priests

Bolstered by bad eucharistic theology, the 'wafer wars' are back

Links for 10/31/19

Fall meeting agenda sees US bishops making plans to plan priorities

Links for 10/29/19

Upcoming bishops' meeting reflects current state of US church

Amazon synod's critics distort Catholic tradition for their convenience

Links for 10/24/19

Democrats' two camps need to join and fight for dreams — pragmatically

Links for 10/22/19

Trump's shameful treachery against US allies

Notre Dame had a right to host Barr — but his talk was ridiculously stupid

Links for 10/17/19

Last night's Democratic debate confirms this is a three-person race

Links for 10/15/19

We are all toiling in the shadow of St. John Henry Newman

Three issues that can help Republican voters abandon Trump

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