Northwestern University has withdrawn its offer of an honorary degree to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright “in light of the controversy around” Barack Obama’s former pastor.

A Northwestern spokesman, in a statement, said the north suburban university did not want the controversy engulfing Wright and Obama to impact the school’s commencement activities.

“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,” university spokesman Alan Cubbage said in the statement.

“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 Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Dr.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.”

Wright has come under intense criticism after clips of past sermons were circulated on the Internet, including him yelling, “God damn America!” and blaming the government for spreading the virus that leads to AIDS.

Obama, a longtime member of Wright’s church, at first tried to distance himself from Wright’s controversial words. But after Wright went on the speaking circuit and continued to make controversial comments, Obama lashed out at the man who married him and baptized his two daughters.

“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.