by Mark Silva and updated with NW statement
Now the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is facing some splashback of his own from the controversy generated on the campaign trail this year by his most controversial remarks from the pulpit of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
Northwestern University has withdrawn its offer of an honorary degree after the controversy over Wrights's most incendiary comments on race became a problem for Sen. Barack Obama, who finally disavowed his longtime pastor this week.
Wright, retiring from Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side of Chicago, had been extended an invitation to receive an honorary degree at the university's commencement in June, according to a university statement.
"In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright," Vice President of University Relations Alan Cubbage said in the statement.
See the university's full statement here:
STATEMENT BY ALAN K. CUBBAGE, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Earlier this academic year, acting on the recommendation of faculty committees, Northwestern University extended an invitation to the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, former senior minister of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, to receive an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Theology at Northwestern's Commencement in June.
"Commencement at Northwestern is a time of celebration of the accomplishments of Northwestern's graduating students and their families. In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of Commencement not be affected, the University has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright.
"Dr. Wright was quoted as saying that his invitation to receive an honorary degree was withdrawn by Northwestern President Henry Bienen because Dr. Wright "wasn't patriotic enough." If Dr. Wright was quoted accurately, that statement is not true. In his conversation and correspondence with Dr. Wright in March, President Bienen never characterized Dr. Wright's views or made a judgment about them.
"The letter said, "In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of Northwestern's commencement would be affected by our conferring of this honorary degree. Thus I am withdrawing the offer of an honorary degree previously extended to you."
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Comments
There is a movement within the United Church of Christ to get Jeremiah Wright elected General Minister and President. See http://www.ucctruths.com
Posted by: David F., Evanston IN | May 1, 2008 11:13 AM
I thought Northwestern University was a fair and intelligent Corporation ( an oxymoron!)!! I guess I am wrong on both counts!! Reverand Wright is right!! America's hands are not clean. What about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, 1932?? Reverand Wright wasn't far off the mark, when he points out the official misconduct directed against the African-American community. That is just one example, I know, we all know about slavery, that viable economic engine that the south lost a war over!! Come on, Patrick Henry, was called unpatriotic by the English!!! What do you think of Mr. Henry, today!!!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW!!!
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 1, 2008 2:03 PM
There is much to se said against my alma mater, but one can only cheer this decision. By the way: someone reassure me that Don Fitzgerald is NOT an alumnus.
Posted by: Miande | May 1, 2008 2:51 PM
You don't rescind an invitation. Why didn't they research him more? This makes Northwestern look like cowardly corporate lackeys.
Posted by: no offense to corporate lackeys | May 1, 2008 8:41 PM
Why can't they rescind the invitation? They didn't know he would make a spectacle of himself in the media, like he has.
Posted by: IslandGyal | May 1, 2008 10:40 PM