Michael Sean Winters

Distinctly Catholic: As the U.S. government is in transition, if liberals leave the populist instinct to conservatives, we can expect Trumpism to be back. It is clear what a liberal populism should focus on: narrowing economic inequality.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Georgia Senate results; How the Republican Party went feral; GOP's efforts to overturn election results; marketing to working-class voters

Distinctly Catholic: President Trump has been inciting violence for weeks. His sycophants in the Republican Party, Fox News and EWTN have repeated his nonsensical allegations. His supporters were listening.

Distinctly Catholic: 2020 taught us we never know what unforeseen events will enlighten or becloud all else. We can discern major themes that will shape 2021, but just before the year's end, a new one emerges.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Ridiculous challenges to election results; Sen. Warren's policy game; 20 states raise minimum wages while some billionaires are making even more billions.

Distinctly Catholic: Though the Trump saga will continue as a sideshow, after Jan. 20 the news will become dominated by decisions President Biden makes, new crises he must face, new votes in Congress.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Remembering Fr. Reginald Foster; Rep. Gohmert of Tyler, Texas, wants Vice President Pence to be able to count different electoral slates

Distinctly Catholic: 2020 began with the U.S. bishops' ad limina visits offering the chance for frank conversations with Pope Francis, but by year's end, opposition to him in the U.S. church was as strong as ever.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Two governors talk about their responses to the coronavirus pandemic; President Donald Trump makes a deal with Saudi Arabia; looking at how Americans remember the pilgrims. 

Distinctly Catholic: For all his brilliance at marshaling resentments in the zeitgeist for political ends, the president's ignorance of history meant that he failed to recognize one of history's most elementary lessons.

A Christmas Eve roundup of songs of joy: "Once in a Royal David's City," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," Jessye Norman ethereal's "O Holy Night," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" done the right way

Distinctly Catholic: Pope Francis' essay and book share the thoughts of this most gifted parish priest at this terrible time of pandemic. I can't think of anything like this degree of self-revelation in the writings of an incumbent pontiff.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doesn't get seated; neo-Nazis in Germany's police force; one-third of Americans teeter on the brink of losing the roof over their heads

Distinctly Catholic: On Friday, millions of "C & E Catholics" — those who only get to Mass on Christmas and Easter — will become "E Catholics" only because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Distinctly Catholic: No one is better equipped to help heal the nation and restore confidence in government than Biden. But in order to unite the country, he needs the cooperation of the Republicans, or of at least some of them.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Where solidarity meets expertise; bipartisan deal at McConnell's mercy; Cordileone backs Chaput, but still neither is archbishop of D.C.

Distinctly Catholic: Witness the "Jericho March," Dec. 12 in Washington, D.C., exposing the core problem with the conservative iteration of the alliance of throne and altar: reducing religion to ethics and thence to politics.

Distinctly Catholic's roundup of political news and commentary: Lay input picking bishops; limits of a primarily racial lens on U.S. politics; what saved the republic; a working first lady and first dude.

Distinctly Catholic: Gaudete Sunday anticipates the coming feast, breaking through the penitential season to remind us what is in store at the end of our period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Distinctly Catholic: The easiest way to make sure future generations have less chance of enduring another post-election mess is to eliminate the Electoral College, which turns our national elections into 51 micro-elections.