Allison Announces Plan to Resign
Episcopal News Service. February 16, 1989 [89033]
CHARLESTON, S.C. (DPS, Feb. 16) -- The Rt. Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison, Bishop of South Carolina since 1982, earlier this week in a letter to the clergy of his diocese revealed his intention of leaving his post as diocesan bishop following the election and installation of a successor. Allison indicated to his clergy that he would suggest to the Diocesan Convention, scheduled to meet on February 24, that a special convention for the election of a new diocesan be set for September 9. It is anticipated that the new diocesan would be installed by late 1989 or early 1990.
Allison, who said that he reached his decision to step down "with a great deal of sadness," has been contemplating the issue for many months. He discussed the possibility of stepping down with Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning last December and with a number of his brother bishops at last summer's Lambeth Conference. Allison intends to devote his time to "teaching, preaching, and writing."
"Fitz" Allison, as he is known to people across a wide spectrum of the life of the Episcopal Church, was well-known to many as a teacher, writer, and preacher before he was elected coadjutor of South Carolina in 1980. He was associate professor of Church history at the University of the South (1956-1967) and professor of Church history at Virginia Theological Seminary (1967-1975). His skills as a preacher came into sharp focus in his years (1975-1980) as rector of New York City's historic Grace Church. In the midst of his involvement in seminary and parish life, Allison wrote three popular and thoughtful books on aspects of the life of the Church: Fear, Love and Worship, The Rise of Moralism, and Guilt. Anger & God. His most recent book, The Cruelty of Heresy, is scheduled for release by Morehouse-Barlow in the fall of this year.
Allison is widely recognized as a spokesman for what a colleague has described as "classical Christianity." He is respected as a conservative thinker with a dedication to the life and institutions of the Episcopal Church.
The Bishop announced his plan to resign at a time when the health of his diocese was readily apparent -- with a strong growth rate in evangelism, in theological education for the people and clergy of the diocese, and with a bright financial outlook. In looking back over the years of his episcopate, Allison spoke of the "increasing joy" his ministry in South Carolina had brought him. Nevertheless, he expressed a strong wish to return to ongoing academic and literary pursuits.