Oliver Claude Allison, CBE, born 1908 was Bishop in the Sudan for over 20 years in the second part of the 20th century. Educated at Dean Close School, Cheltenham and Queen's College, Cambridge, he was ordained in 1933 and began his ecclesiastical career with a curacy in Boscombe.
1932-36 Curate at Christ Church Fulwood (Sheffield) Also Scout Master of the 142nd Sheffield (Fulwood) Scout Troop for same dates.
1936-38 Youth Secretary to Winchester Diocese
1938 Accepted by Church Missionary Society (CMS) and left for Anglo Egyptian Sudan. He began what was to be along association with the Sudan by becoming a Missionary in Juba followed by a stint as Assistant Bishop of the diocese. Elevated to the Episcopate
1947 Became Mission Secretary for Sudan.
1948 Consecrated Bishop, to be the assistant Bishop to Rt Rev Morris Gelsthorpe who was the first Bishop of the new diocese of Sudan, no longer linked with Egypt, but still under the Archbishopric of Jerusalem.
1953 Became Diocesan Bishop on Gelsthorpe's retirement. His pastoral duties extended to oversight of Churches in Yemen, Aden, Eritrea, Ethiopia & Samaliland.
1955 Consecration of first Sudanese Assistant Bishop.
1956-1972 Unrest in Sudan.
1972 Peace talks culminated in the addis Ababa Agreement in which the South was promised autocracy from the North. A few missionaries were allowed to return.
1974 Retired. When back in England he did a lot of work to help through the Sudan Church Association.
Returning to England he often preached about his eventful life at parishes who wanted to know more about the region
Famous quotes containing the words oliver and/or allison:
“the hatchlings wake in the swaying branches,
in the silver baskets,
and love the world.
Is it necessary to say any more?
Have you heard them singing in the wind, above the final fields?
Have you ever been so happy in your life?”
—Mary Oliver (b. 1935)
“Hunger makes you restless. You dream about food—not just any food, but perfect food, the best food, magical meals, famous and awe-inspiring, the one piece of meat, the exact taste of buttery corn, tomatoes so ripe they split and sweeten the air, beans so crisp they snap between the teeth, gravy like mother’s milk singing to your bloodstream.”
—Dorothy Allison (b. 1953)