www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Why I admire and respect Prof. Michael Thompson

Mr. Etnik wrote:
"Kind of like an "I'm better than you", "Don't talk to me" kind of attitude."

Mr. Etnik:
I am sorry that this was your impression of me and for having offended you.

To the other posters on this thread:
My sincere thanks for your kindness and your affirmations. May God give us all wisdom in our decisions and kindness in our expressions.

Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA

Etnick,

I'm a little surprised by this comment, especially made here and by you. We can all sometimes come across in ways that we do not intend, especially with the stress of large scale events like Uniontown. Would you want someone's unflattering impressions of you - perhaps at an unguarded moment - posted on this forum?

My impression of Professor Thompson comes from spending a week with him at the cantor's conference in Milwaukee some time ago, and he was nothing but a tireless and humble professional and a complete gentleman.

And, while I understand Karl's intent was to praise Professor Thompson, by singling him out this kind of thread can very easily descend into "cheap shots" from verbal paparazzi.

I would recommend, for what it is worth, that it be closed.

Gordo

The cheap shots were already being taken in other threads.

I have said for years that keeping a sense of humor is an essential survival skill in the field of church music. A bit of humility also helps. I tell the Latins for whom I work, that I went into church music for money, fame, glamor,sex, and to have my own groupies. Of course, I haven't gotten any of those things. I have never met Michael Thompson, but I am sure that working in a tiny seminary in a tiny church, doesn't give one any of the above, either. Give the man a break and keep the oranges and apples separate. He has done credible work in the field of church music. However, he is not responsible for the English translations of the Divine Liturgy. Those are two separate issues and linking the two, seems to me to be a case of apples and oranges. My own opinion is that our music had been "dumbed down" at one point, for whatever reason. Perhaps it was a part of the Latinization craze that gripped our church at that time, but I really wasn't there and don't know the reasons behind it. It seems to me that the changes in music are both genuine restorations and improvements. So, let's evaluate Thompson on his work - music - and not judge him on English translations. It's unfair to link the two.

There is a cause and effect relationship between the new revised liturgy and the new revised music. Much text has been change
which left the door open to change the music. The revised liturgy was not done just to correct translation errors from the c.1965 English DL.

Ungcsertezs

I would like Etnik to apologize to Professor Thompson, just as Professor Thompson apologized to him. By doing so, he will show that he understands the basics of Christian behaviour.

I would also like to remind Etnik that there are specific rules of charity on this forum, and since he full knows that Professor Thompson is a fellow poster, his comments about him were deliberately uncharitable.

Alice, Moderator

I accept Professor Thompson's apology, and I offer the same. Maybe if we meet again things will go smoother.

I always enjoy speaking with Professor Thompson when he comes to visit Annunciation Church. Usually the conversations are brief but they are cordial.

The serious problems we have in the Eparchy have very little if anything to do with Professor Thompson. In fact if all were as dedicated as he we would have a better Church.

Never fear, in due time I will address again what I perceive to be some of our problems.

CDL

Amen to that! We have far, far, bigger problems than music right now.

I am impressed. Prof. Thompson had the courage to have the new music recorded in a Ukrainian Church. Believe me, it was noted and not favorably. I'm afraid this is the kind of attitude he has to deal with.

I look forward to meeting him. My opinion is that the change in the music is the most important aspect of the revised liturgy - as far as the future of the BCC is concerned. I do not know enough to form an opinion about it, but I would like to learn more.

The relationship between music and translation has nothing to do with Professor Thompson,and even if it did that's fodder for another thread.

It strikes me as extremely poor taste to slam someone on a thread meant to honor them.Especially after having met Prof. Thompson I'm embarrassed and bothered by the things I'm reading here.
Etnick, I'm sorry you had a bad impression of Prof. Thompson, but it pains me greatly that you would use my words to slam him.

Moderators, I second Gordo's suggestion to close this thread.This is a disgrace.

Peace,
Indigo

Could we come back down to earth here please!

This thread was started about Professor Thompson. All I did was make a comment about my first impression of meeting the man. I was directed by a moderator to apologize for my comment and I did. He also apologized to me for the bad first impression. Geez! Lighten up people! Unless he is up for sainthood, I don't see any reason to say anything more.

I would have to agree with you. None of us are saints and we all have our bad moments. As a church organist - 4 masses every Sunday - you wouldn't believe how tired I am some days. I have to remember not to say anything out of the way to anyone. Even if I do have the best of intentions, the slightest bad behavior on my part will generally come back to haunt me.

Carson,

I agree. We have more serious problems in the Eparchy rather than to worry about Professor Thompson being a former priest in the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Dioscese of the U.S.A. and l'ECOF (they are the Western French Orthodox and part of the Antiochians).

The Professor is not the one who promulgated this debacle.

The only way I could see there being an issue is if there was some serious reason why he isn't part of these jurisdictions any more.(Let me be clear, I'm not saying there is).

Monomakh

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