Jim Thompson (bishop)

James Thompson
James Thompson
Bishop of Bath and Wells
Diocese	Diocese of Bath and Wells
In office	1991–2001
Predecessor	George Carey
Successor	Peter Price
Other post(s)	Honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Exeter (2001–2003); Bishop of Stepney (1978–1991);
Orders
Ordination	1966 (deacon); 1967 (priest)
Consecration	c. 1978
Personal details
Born	11 August 1936; Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom
Died	19 September 2003 (aged 67); Devon, England, United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglican
Spouse	Sally
Children	Ben and Anna
Profession	Broadcaster; Chartered Accountant
Education	Dean Close School, Cheltenham
Alma mater	Emmanuel College, Cambridge

James Lawton Thompson (11 August 1936 – 19 September 2003) was a British Anglican bishop. He was firstly the suffragan Bishop of Stepney (one of five Episcopal Areas of the Diocese of London in the Church of England since the 1979 creation of the London area scheme)^[3] from 1978 to 1991^[4] and later the diocesan Bishop of Bath and Wells in succession to George Carey who had become Archbishop of Canterbury. He retired in 2001.

Thompson was probably best known to many as a regular contributor to the "Thought for the Day" segment on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Following his death in 2003, obituaries in the national press praised his deep humanity and lively sense of humour. One obituary referred to his gift of "conveying the warmth of his physical presence in his voice and in his words", adding that "his reflection on the events of 11 September 2001 was nominated for a Sony Broadcast Award, uniquely for religious broadcasting."^[5] He used his seat in the House of Lords to express his concerns for equality and education. The Telegraph described him as "the Church of England's best known commentator on social and political matters as well as a prominent advocate of religious and racial tolerance."^[2] Thompson wrote that "a bishop who doesn't give offence to anyone is probably not a good bishop."^[6] Thompson was also an important figure in interfaith relations in Britain, chairing the British Council of Churches advisory committee and co-chairing the Interfaith Network for the United Kingdom. He believed that when Christians helped to create opportunities for all faiths to participate in public and in institutional life (such as in educational and health care chaplaincy) they were being good neighbours in a multi-faith world.

^ ^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.
^ Who's Who 1992 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3514-2
^ Ruth McCurry: "The Rt. Rev. Jim Thompson", The Independent on Sunday, 22 September 2003 Obituary^{[dead link]}
^ The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations, edited by Robert Andrews, NY: Columbia University Press, 1993 ISBN 0-231-07194-9 p 146 citing the Daily Telegraph, 30 May 1991.

[gob-1] "Obituary: The Rt Rev Jim Thompson". The Guardian. 22 September 2003. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021.

[ReferenceA-2] "The Rt Rev Jim Thompson", 20 September 2003 The Telegraph

[3] "4: The Dioceses Commission, 1978–2002" (PDF). Church of England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2013.

[4] Who's Who 1992 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3514-2

[5] Ruth McCurry: "The Rt. Rev. Jim Thompson", The Independent on Sunday, 22 September 2003 Obituary^{[dead link]}

[6] The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations, edited by Robert Andrews, NY: Columbia University Press, 1993 ISBN 0-231-07194-9 p 146 citing the Daily Telegraph, 30 May 1991.

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