David Bernard Thompson

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DAVID BERNARD THOMPSON

Born : May 29, 1923
Deceased : November 24, 2013

Bishop of Charleston, 1990-1999

Official blazon

Arms impaled. Dexter: Per bend or and glues, on a bend argent three crosses moline sable, on a chief of the second a lion passant guardant of the first. Sinister: Per fess azure and glues, a bar argent enfiled with an annulet or between, in chief, two antique crowns, the dexter one or charged with a cross of the second and the sinister argent charged with an annulet of the first; in base a latin cross inverted and couped or between two plates, the dexter one charged with across again of the second, the sinister charged with a trefoil vert. Motto: Christi Impetus Pacis.

Origin/meaning

As common in US episcopal heraldry, the arms show the arms of the diocese impaled with the personal arms of the bishop.

The Bishop's arms are composed of elements which have religious, personal, and family significance.

The golden ring on a silver bar is taken from the arms of the Diocese of Allentown where the bishop served as a priest. It represents the mystical marriage of Saint Catharine of Siena, titular saint of the Cathedral of Allentown and heavenly patroness of Bishop Thompson's mother, Catharine. He was rector of Saint Catharine's Cathedral.

The blue field portraying two crowns suggests the Blessed Mother to whom the Bishop is particularly devoted and Saint Bernard's "Memorare," his favorite prayer.

The upside down cross on which the Prince of the Apostles was crucified is taken from the arms of the late Bishop Joseph Mark McShea, mentor and friend of Bishop Thompson. It denotes the Petrine ministry exercised today by His Holiness Pope John Paul II to whom all the faithful in union with their bishops yield joyful obedience.

The plate with a red cross comes from the metropolitan arms of Philadelphia, Bishop Thompson's home. The shamrock on a plate speaks of his Irish heritage through both the Thompson and McLaughlin families.

A twin brother who is a priest is honored by the cross on a crown, and a married sister is also honored by a ring. Both these charges are on antique crowns to reflect the Jewish heritage the Christian shares from the Throne of David, the Bishop's Christian name.

The motto is "Impetus Pacis" which speaks of a movement to peace. To this the Bishop chooses to add the Name of Christ. Christi Impetus Pacis, then tells of his working for the peace of Christ.

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