David B. Thompson
David Bernard Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Atlanta Titular Bishop of xxx | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Archdiocese of Atlanta |
| In office | 1990 to 1999 |
| Predecessor | Ernest Leo Unterkoefler |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 27, 1950 by Joseph McCormick |
| Consecration | May 24, 1989 by Pio Laghi, Norbert Felix Gaughan and Eugene Antonio Marino |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 29, 1923 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 2013 (aged 90) Charleston, South Carolina |
| Education | St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Catholic University of America |
| Motto | Christi impetus pacis (Working for the peace of Christ) |
| Styles of David Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
David Bernard Thompson (May 29, 1923 − November 24, 2013) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Charleston in South Carolina from 1990 to 1999.
Biography
[edit]Early life and education
[edit]Thompson was born on May 29, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His twin brother, Edward Thompson, became a priest also. He attended West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in Philadelphia. After graduating in 1941, Thompson entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, to prepare for the priesthood. He finished at St. Charles with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in history.[1]
Priesthood
[edit]Thompson was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 27, 1950 by Bishop Joseph McCormick.[2] That same year, he moved to Washington D.C. to study at the Catholic University of America (CUA). He received a Licentiate of Canon Law from the CUA School of Canon Law.[1]
After returning to Philadelphia in 1952, the archdiocese assigned him as a teacher and guidance counselor at St. Thomas More High School. He also took coursework at Villanova University in Philadelphia at that time. In 1957, he was named as the founding principal for Notre Dame High School in Easton, Pennsylvania.[1]
That same year Thompson established a dance show at Notre Dame based on the popular television show American Bandstand. The Notre Dame Bandstand show featured performers such as Paul Anka, Fabian, Connie Francis and Herman's Hermits. Thompson gained the name of "Father Bandstand".[1][3]
When the Vatican erected the Diocese of Allentown in 1961, Thompson was incardinated, or transferred, to the new diocese. He was named as the first chancellor of Allentown. The Vatican in 1963 elevated Thompson to the rank of domestic prelate and in 1966 Bishop Joseph McShea appointed him as vicar general.[4]
Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Charleston
[edit]On April 22, 1989, Thompson was appointed coadjutor bishop of Charleston by Pope John Paul II.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on May 24, 1989, from Archbishop Pio Laghi, with Bishop Norbert Gaughan and Archbishop Eugene Marino serving as co-consecrators. [2]Thompson assumed as his episcopal motto: Christi Impetus Pacis, meaning, "Working for the Peace of Christ."
Thompson automatically succeeded Bishop Ernest Unterkoefler as the eleventh bishop of Charleston upon the latter's resignation on February 22, 1990.[2] Thompson's tenure was marked by the Synod of Charleston, which lasted from 1992 to 1995;[5] it was the first diocesan synod held there since 1958.[1]
Death and legacy
[edit]Thompson resigned as bishop of Charleston on July 12, 1999. He died in Charleston on November 24, 2013, at the age of 90.[2][6]
In 2024, Thompson, who served as bishop of Charleston from February 1990 to July 1999,[7] was named in a lawsuit as someone who covered up sex abuse committed by Robert Kelly, who previously served as a priest at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, from 1990 to 1994.[8][9]
Awards
[edit]- Tree of Life award from the Jewish National Fund[1]
- Order of the Palmetto award from the State of South Carolina[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Golden, Nichole (2013-12-05). "Bishop Thompson dies at age 90; recalled as 'good friend, holy priest' - Georgia Bulletin". georgiabulletin.org. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop David Bernard Thompson [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "600 RELIVE NOTRE DAME BANDSTAND". The Morning Call. 1988-10-30. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Family, friends remember retired Charleston Bishop David B. Thompson". Livenews5. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ Diocese of Charleston. History of the Diocese of Charleston Archived 2012-08-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Parker, Adam (2013-11-24). "Retired Bishop of Charleston David Thompson dies at 90". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Family, friends remember retired Charleston Bishop David B. Thompson". KCSC. November 25, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Benson, Adam (February 7, 2024). "Former Myrtle Beach altar boy sues Charleston diocese, claims priest molested him in early 1990s". WBTW. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Ardary, Steven (February 8, 2024). "Catholic Diocese of Charleston sued by former altar boy over alleged abuse". WCSC. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
External links
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