University does not want to revoke Greta Thunberg's honorary doctorate in theology

Despite recent statements by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg that have been widely criticised as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic, the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki has no plans to revoke the honorary doctorate awarded to the 21-year-old last year. The awarding of honorary doctorates falls within the autonomy of the faculties and is carried out on the "basis of assessments made at the time of the award", explained the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Antti Räsänen, on Wednesday when asked by katholisch.de. Neither the university nor the faculty actively monitored or supervised the further "work or activities of the award winners" after the award ceremony.

Räsänen went on to emphasise that neither the University of Helsinki nor the Faculty of Theology are involved in international conflicts or politics. Rather, the university focuses on matters "directly related to research and teaching". The dean also explained that there are no specific rules or practices at the University of Helsinki for the withdrawal of honorary doctorates.

Honoured for "uncompromising commitment" to the future of the planet

The Faculty of Theology awarded Thunberg an honorary doctorate in June last year. At the time, the award was based on the activist's "uncompromising and consistent work" for the future of the planet. Thunberg had set "all of us" the task of "changing our daily lives as members of communities and societies, but above all as human beings".

Thunberg became known in 2018 for the "school strikes for the climate" she initiated in front of the Swedish parliament, which later gave rise to the globally active "Fridays for Future" movement. At the time, church representatives also repeatedly expressed their appreciation of the Swede's commitment, sometimes drawing parallels to biblical events and figures. In recent months, however, Thunberg has come under increasing criticism for statements criticised as anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic. Among other things, she also took part in anti-Israel demonstrations in Germany, where she accused the Jewish state of genocide against the Palestinians with regard to its actions against the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas.

German bishops have also distanced themselves

German bishops, who had initially praised Thunberg for her commitment to the climate, have now also distanced themselves from her. They take an "absolutely critical view of the Swedish woman's statements on the escalation of violence in the Middle East because they are one-sided and do not do justice to the complex situation in the Holy Land and because there is no clear distancing from anti-Semitism," explained Volker Bauerfeld, spokesman for the diocese of Hildesheim, last November. At the time, Thunberg had used a climate demonstration in Amsterdam to take sides with the Palestinians. Among other things, she repeatedly chanted "No climate justice on occupied land", apparently alluding to the Palestinian territories.

In 2019, Hildesheim's Bishop Heiner Wilmer spoke appreciatively about Thunberg and Fridays for Future during a church service with around 2,500 teenagers and young adults. The bishop said at the time that Thunberg was like a prophet to him. The young Swede stands there peacefully, without throwing stones, and calls on politicians to honour the agreements of the UN Climate Change Conference. Bauerfeld explained last November that at the time it was not foreseeable "how Ms Thunberg would comment on the conflict in the Gaza Strip four years later". (stz)