Northwestern University Won't Offer Rev. Jeremiah Wright Honorary Degree

The Rev. Jeremiah wright has drawn the ire of his former parishoner Barack Obama for an arrogant performance at the National Press Club, has incurred the wrath of the public for his "God damn America!" comment during a sermon, and now has to endure the ignominy of being disinvited from Northwestern University's commencement. The school is no longer willing to give the Rev. Dr. Wright an honorary degree.

In addition to the comment about America, Wright has praised Nation Of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and said the U.S. may have developed the AIDS virus specifically to infect black people.

Obama denounced Wright's comments as "giving comfort to those who prey on hate."

"His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church,” Obama said on Tuesday.

Regarding its decision to nix Rev. Wright's degree, university spokesman Alan Cubbage said in a statement: "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 degree 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 Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Dr.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.”