|
3 members (Fr. Al, theophan, 1 invisible),
103
guests, and
16
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,219
Posts415,296
Members5,881
| |
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 564
Member
|
OP
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 564 |
It has been revealed in another thread that Pr. Thompson was, at one time, a priest of the ACROD. This is no dark secret, as he told me himself when I had a chance to meet him and talk a few years ago. I want to tell you a little of that meeting, and I beg his pardon if he'd rather have these details not be public. I only do this to defend a man I have deepest respect for. I hope also that my memory not fail me.
As I recall, he told me that in the 1970's he couldn't stomach the liturgical absurdities of the Roman Church, and so entered the Orthodox Church, eventually receiving ordination as a priest.
Some time later, he realized that, despite all that was wrong in the Catholic Church, he still believed that it was the Church Christ founded, and came to the conviction that he had to return. He asked Cardinal Bernardin if he continue priestly ministry as a Catholic, but the Cardinal declined his request. Nevertheless, Prof. Thompson followed his convictions and re-entered the Catholic Church.
Afterward, I remember telling my wife what an amazing story it was. Here was a man who loved liturgy, who had received the grace of ordination (what a wonderful gift), who was a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, who willingly laid that gift aside out of faith and love for the Church. I don't know that I would have done that. In a time when many of us are talking of moving from one jurisdiction to another in search of the perfect liturgy, Prof. Thompson moved in search of the true Church, as he saw it, despite its imperfect liturgy.
God bless him!
Karl
P.S. Please note that this is all from my recollection; I am certain that I don't remember what he said verbatim.
Last edited by Pseudo-Athanasius; 01/29/07 09:22 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 936
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 936 |
Kudos for Prof. Thompson!
God grant him many years!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398 |
Indeed, that is an example of a noble soul, a conscience that puts conviction before comfort and preference. God bless.
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373 |
Question, is he now a member of the Byzantine Catholic Church? He has stated on the OrthodoxPsalm group that he directs the St.
George Antiochian Orthodox Church Choir, Bridgeville, PA. Does that mean he is still an Orthodox Christian?
Ungcsertezs
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 564
Member
|
|
OP
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 564 |
Going by my recollection, he is a Catholic. I've known several Catholics who sing in Orthodox churches and at least one Orthodox Christian who was organist for a Catholic church.
Music is ecumenical.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,390
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,390 |
The professor has obviously led a life of service and fidelity. May God bless him for continuously responding to His call.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 114
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 114 |
I do not know the good Professor but his postings are always timely, professional and respectful. I find his particpation on this board very helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
Cantor Member
|
|
Cantor Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644 |
So there is now a problem that a Byzantine Catholic can't direct an Orthodox choir? My parish just celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Hierarchical Liturgy sung by our choir which is directed by an Orthodox (OCA) parishioner, who is quite definitely <b>O</b>rthodox..I do believe Prof Thompson is Byzantine Catholic.
In general; We often make so many overtures about just visiting other parishes and churches trying to heal the rifts of schism, yet heaven forbid if there is any real crossover!
my very humble, insignificant .002 cents worth of personal opinion,
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 706
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 706 |
Prof. Thompson is a Byzantine Catholic.
He is dedicating a lot of time to the Byzantine Catholic Church and is extremely helpful and approachable. May God grant him many years.
Peace,
Indigo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,373 |
It would be good to know that Mr. Thompson is actually a member of the Ruthenian Metropolitan Church, and not just an employee.
U-C
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,532 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,532 Likes: 1 |
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Thompson in Union Town a few years ago. We talked briefly and I found him to be a very nice man. I only wished I had more time to speak with him. He gave no impression of any "hidden agendas."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,134
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,134 |
Prof. Thompson is a Byzantine Catholic.
He is dedicating a lot of time to the Byzantine Catholic Church and is extremely helpful and approachable. May God grant him many years.
Peace,
Indigo I met him last year at Uniontown, and while his lecture on prostopinije was informative, he seemed everything but approachable when I tried to talk to him. Kind of like an "I'm better than you", "Don't talk to me" kind of attitude.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,177
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,177 |
I just find it rather strange (even disappointing) that the Metropolia's #1 proponent of prostopinije:
1) isn't involved with music at the Metropolitan Cathedral (didn't he do this at one time?)
2) he isn't even 'working' in a church with a prostopinije tradition.
Oh well...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 402
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 402 |
Glory to Jesus Christ!
You might well be disappointed if either of those things were true. However, they are not.
I am the Cantor and director of music at the Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, where I am also a communicant member.
Where do these stories come from?
Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
|
|
|
|
|
