Bishop Thompson Consecrated At Roman Catholic Cathedral
Episcopal News Service. September 28, 1978 [78273]
SACRAMENTO, California -- The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento was the setting Thursday, Sept. 21, for the Consecration of an Episcopal bishop. This was the first time in the history of the Sacramento church that a non-Roman service of this type had taken place.
On that date, the Rev. John L. Thompson, former rector of Christ Church, Eureka, was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. He then replaced the Rt. Rev. Clarence R. Haden, Jr., who has been diocesan bishop since January 1958.
Chief consecrator for the centuries-old service was the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, the Presiding Bishop of the 3-million member Episcopal Church. He was joined in the ceremonies by the Rt. Rev. Victor Rivera, Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin; the Rt. Rev. James Carman, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon; and Bishop Haden.
Following the consecration, Bishop Thompson was the chief celebrant at the service of the Holy Eucharist, and Bishop Haden preached the sermon.
Bishop Thompson is the fifth bishop in the 103-year history of the diocese -- an area that covers most of Northern California from Benicia to the Oregon border, and includes 66 churches and over 16,000 active communicants.
Bishop Thompson had been rector of the Eureka parish since 1960, and an ordained priest since 1951. He was elected Bishop Coadjutor at the Special Convention held in Sacramento in April, by clerical and lay delegates representing the entire diocese.
The service at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was an ecumenical one, with all Christian and Jewish denominations invited to attend, as well as civic and business leaders.
Over 100 vested clergy took part, as well as acolytes and choir members from throughout the diocese. The massed choir of some 100 voices was under the direction of Carl Naluai, Jr., choirmaster and organist for Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento.
Following the service there was a procession up the K Street Mall to the Community Center, led by a Scottish bagpipe band -- saluting the Scottish heritage of the new bishop. A reception was held at the Community Center Exhibit Hall, honoring Bishop Thompson and Bishop Allin.