Jim Thompson (bishop)
James Thompson | |
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Chartered Accountant | |
Education | Dean Close School, Cheltenham[2] |
Alma mater | Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
James Lawton Thompson (11 August 1936 – 19 September 2003) was a British
Thompson was probably best known to many as a regular contributor to the "Thought for the Day" segment on
Career
Thompson was born in
Ideological clashes
Before beginning his ministry as a bishop in 1978, Thompson, for a public figure, attracted perhaps more than the usual share of criticism – particularly from supporters of the Thatcher Government in the 1980s. This was largely due to his championing of the causes of those he viewed as disadvantaged; these particularly included the urban poor of East London, where Thompson served as bishop.
Some of his public comments were perceived by some as unduly political. This was undoubtedly behind
In later life, however, Thompson could not have been said to be party political, instead aiming – perhaps idealistically – to apply the values of the Kingdom of God to everyday life and issues, which lead him into the political arena, intentionally or not. Thompson's clergy – whether or not they agreed with him on particular issues – tended to regard him as a good man, a warm-hearted pastor and an engaging personality.
In 1995, Thompson chaired the Church of England's Board for Social Responsibility's sub-committee, who produced the report Something to Celebrate. The report stirred controversy by suggesting that partners who were faithful in relationships outside marriage should not be thought as of living in sin. From some of his colleagues, says Ruth McCurry, "he met with little support for his passionate concerns – for gay and women's rights, for Bangladeshis, for all who were marginalised".[10]
British Council of Churches and interfaith relations
In 1983, Thompson was chosen to succeed
Other posts and honours
Thompson chaired the Children's Society from 1997 to 2002. From 1995, he was Joint President of the English Churches Housing Trust. He was awarded a
Writings
- Thompson, Jim (1989) Docklands Redevelopment, London: Docklands Forum ISBN 1-872453-01-5
- Thompson, Jim (1986) Half Way: reflections in middle life, London: Collins ISBN 0-00-626967-2
- Thompson, Jim (1990) The Lord's Song, London: Fount ISBN 0-00-627106-5
- Thompson, Jim (1991) Stepney Calling, London: Mowbray ISBN 0-264-67208-9
- Thompson, Jim (1997) Why God? London: Mowbray ISBN 0-264-67388-3
- Thompson, Jim (2003) Good Morning!: a decade of thoughts for the day, London: SPCK ISBN 0-281-05498-3
References
- ^ a b c "Obituary: The Rt Rev Jim Thompson". The Guardian. 22 September 2003. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021.
- ^ a b "The Rt Rev Jim Thompson", 20 September 2003 The Telegraph
- ^ "4: The Dioceses Commission, 1978–2002" (PDF). Church of England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
- ISBN 0-7136-3514-2
- ^ Ruth McCurry: "The Rt. Rev. Jim Thompson", The Independent on Sunday, 22 September 2003 Obituary[dead link]
- ISBN 0-231-07194-9p 146 citing the Daily Telegraph, 30 May 1991.
- ^ a b c "No. 52692". The London Gazette. 22 October 1991. p. 16051.
- ISBN 1-870520-09-2
- ^ BBC News, 19 September 2003 "Bishop Jim dies at 67" Bishop Jim Dies at 67
- ^ a b McCurry, op cit
- ^ "Obituary: Rt.Revd Dr Jim Thompson", University of Bath, Obituary Archived 28 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine