The Urban Connection: Rev. Anthony Thomas

On June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof, a young white man, attended the Wednesday evening Bible study at the predominantly black Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. An hour later, Roof pulled a concealed weapon and killed nine African-Americans as they prayed, including Myra Thompson, the wife of Reverend Anthony Thompson. Myra\'s murder devastated Anthony, yet he chose to privately and publicly forgive the shooter.

Anthony B. Thompson

Anthony B. Thompson is the pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church of Charleston. He is a member of the community advisory board of Mother Emanuel AME Church Empowerment Center, as well as the National Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Episcopal Church. The Reverend Thompson was married to the late Myra Thompson of Charleston, South Carolina. They have three children and six grandchildren.

Called to Forgive