Fr. Neuhaus' mea (sed non maxima) on equality

It's rare that one has to choose between the eminences Fr. Neuhaus and Robert George, and, thank God, this isn't one of those times.  Over at On the Square, Dec. 20, it is revealed that in the current FT Fr. Neuhaus left open the possibility that we all are not "created equal" in the sense intended in the Declaration, and Prof. George was as quick to question the lacuna as Fr. Neuhaus was to clarify that he affirms that we are created equal in dignity, as the Declaration, Prof. George observes, insists.  The exchange clarifies how our equal dignity coexists with our many differences that are also owing to the Creator.  "Check it out," as Rick would say. 

Equality is always secundum quid; the opposing possibilities are simple identity or utter difference, neither of which is plausibly true.  The challenge is to identify the quid and, then, to establish that it dwarfs in importance all those other respects in which we so very different from one another.