To the editor:

She is obviously an accomplished woman. She is a feted law professor at Harvard; and has been the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. She should know better.

Mary Ann Glendon refuses to be honored at Notre Dame’s graduation ceremony because she opposes the right of a woman to have an abortion. No, and obviously, Notre Dame does not endorse abortion rights. And no, nothing in the festivities has anything to do with abortion, life, or choice. She refuses because Notre Dame has chosen a graduation speaker who has favored choice. The speaker is not an abortion advocate, nor is his voice particularly prominent in the debate. He is, in fact, the president of the United States. Professor Glendon refuses to be honored by Notre Dame because the sitting president elected to grace its graduates with a great gift: to be addressed at graduation by the president of the United States.

Surely Professor Glendon understands that when she stands to address her classes at Harvard her authority is accepted by the students because she was chosen by Harvard. Undoubtedly some students have disagreed with her theological and philosophical views, but she expects, and is given, respect. When she was ambassador to the Vatican, was she rejected because the laws of her country permit abortion? Of course not; she was given the respect due her post.

The editorial I read this morning described Professor Glendon as principled. Perhaps, but I think otherwise. Her conduct proves she is unworthy of the honor she rejects.