Michael sean Winters

Tomorrow, Newman will officially be what he has been for a long time unofficially, a doctor of the church. Theologians should turn to his writings again and again to see what their vocation can be at its best.

On this 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the church should recommit itself to its relationship with our "elder brothers," as John Paul II called the Jewish people when he visited the great synagogue in Rome.

The findings largely confirm the narrative that older clergy are far more liberal than younger. But there are still issues, less political and more theological, for further studies of U.S. priests to explore.

Politics should be a part of a society's culture, a derivative of culture, downstream from art and philosophy, writes NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters.

Conservative Catholics had hoped that Pope Francis' reforms would follow him into the tomb, but they must reckon with the fact that it is they, not Pope Leo or Cardinal Cupich, who need a course correction.

If Kirk was a champion of free speech, than it seems the worst way to honor his legacy is to silence anyone for what they said about him, writes NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters.

Donald Trump still dominates the news cycle, but he isn't rounding the corner on any of the nation's problems. As the president gets desperate, voters get exhausted.

Badly divided US bishops' conference needs unifying leadership

We can hope that the move does not undo one of the signature achievements of Pope Francis: He broke up the court atmosphere that surrounded previous popes, writes NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters. 

Pope Leo XIV shared Sunday pranzo with a group of people from the Diocese of Albano. During the event, the diocesan bishop of Albano, Bishop Vincenzo Viva, spoke words that captured my attention.