Pastoral Letter: March 17 Update COVID-19

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Dear friends, As a follow up to my email last night, I want to further clarify a few things for us all. This is an ever-changing situation and we are committed to communicating with you clearly and effectively. As of today, the diocesan office staff will be working...

Pastoral Letter – Update on COVID-19 Guidelines

Monday, March 16, 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers, I write to you in the midst of our historic health crises.  It is truly difficult to comprehend the movement of the virus and the impact impeding us.  We continue to monitor what experts advise and promptly implement new...

Bishop Thompson’s Statement Following Governor John Bel Edwards Proclamation Halting Any Gathering of More Than 250 People

Friday, March 13, 2020

Earlier today, Governor John Bel Edwards signed a proclamation that halts any gathering of more than 250 people until Monday, April 13th. I support the Governor’s proclamation. However, I would still like for a priest to be present during normal service times in order...

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Thompson Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thursday, March 12, 2020

To My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:  I write this letter as your chief pastor.  For the past several months our news feeds have been inundated with reports regarding the coronavirus, or COVID 19.  We have watched this disease spread from one country...

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Devotion to God. Devotion to America.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

This past Sunday’s gospel had to do with Nicodemus’ going to Jesus in the night.  Nicodemus is the patron saint for curiosity.  Several times he seeks Jesus because there is something this young rabbi Nicodemus wants/needs to know.  He is curious enough to risk his...

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Relationship With God and God’s Creation

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

The other day I was reading an article where the author was making a case for global warming. At the bottom of the article were opinions from readers. One particular statement stood out: “God gave man dominion over all the animals and the earth. Therefore we can do...

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Idolatry

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Several months ago I was introduced to Bowing Toward Babylon by Craig M. Watts.  This offering came at a time when I was wrestling with how to make sense of the political rhetoric being shared on Facebook and news outlets.  I am troubled by the desire to...

Invitation to the Bishop’s Lenten Book Study 2020

Thursday, February 6, 2020

This coming Lent I want to introduce to the Diocese two books that have caused significant reflection.  The first is Bowing Toward Babylon by Craig M. Watts.  The second selection is Care for Creation (a Franciscan spirituality of the...

Christmas Message from Bishop Thompson

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

When the song of the angels is stilled,When the star in the sky is gone,When the kings and the princes are home,When the shepherds are back with their flock,The work of Christmas begins:To find the lost, To heal the broken,To feed the hungry,To release the...

Bishop Thompson’s Address to the 182nd Annual Convention

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

  The Diocese of Louisiana 182nd Convention Christ School Finding a Place in a Displaced World November 1, 2019 A person checks into a hotel for the first time in his life and goes up to his room.  Five minutes later he calls the desk and says, “You’ve given me a...

Invitation to Participate in the Work of Transformation, For the Love of the Earth

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

One of the Five Marks of Mission for the Episcopal Church is, “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” We, in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, have made this one of our priorities. In today’s...

Invitation to the 182nd Annual Convention

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Dear Clergy and Wardens of the Diocese of Louisiana, NOTICE OF THE 182nd CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA It is my honor and privilege as your Bishop, to give you notice of the 182nd Convention of the Diocese of Louisiana on November 1-2, 2019.  Convention will...

Reconstruction of the Racial Reconciliation Commission

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Reflection by the Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. as published in the June 2019 issue of Churchwork. In 1845, James Lowell wrote, “New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth.” I love this line and particularly his choice of words. I also love the...

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Ten Reasons Visitors Do Not Return

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Week Seven: Ten Reasons Visitors Do Not Return Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer We have come to the end of our Lenten studies. I have been interested to hear feedback from those of you who read along with me. In Autopsy of a Deceased Church, Thom S....

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: In Love With the Church or With Jesus

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Week Six: In Love With the Church or With Jesus? Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer At the House of Bishops (HOB) meeting this year one of our speakers asked us if we thought the Church was in love with the Church or with Jesus. This question made me sit...