Our common belief in human rights must be undergirded by a recognition that rights come with duties—including the duty to protect those whose rights are unequally threatened.

If we are to differ intelligently and temperately, we must first share a great deal in common. Today, though, claims and counter-claims are made as if they were vindicated by the mere vehemence of their assertion.

We are not contradicting Catholic doctrine in looking, with Pope Francis, to the full range of issues affected by our vote.

How does theology bear witness, speak to what remains, finally, unspeakable?

To its ldquo cultured despisers rdquo Schleiermacher rsquo s felicitous term Christianity might well seem occupied with turning guile into guilt In Conscience Across Borders Vernon Ruland S J who teaches at the University of San Francisco has written a bracing rejoinder to those who think