MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Chaney, Bourdeaux, Compretta, Denny, Ellington, Evans, Ketchings, Saucier, Simpson, Straughter, Stribling, Wallace

House Concurrent Resolution 133

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN MAURY ALLIN AND EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY UPON HIS PASSING. 

WHEREAS, on March 6, 1998, the retired presiding Bishop of these United States of America, the Right Reverend John Maury Allin entered into the greater glory as a result of a brief battle with cancer; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin, born on April 22, 1921, was a native of Helena, Arkansas, where he lived until he obtained his seminary training from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, after which he came to Mississippi where he completed his master's degree in education from Mississippi College; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin returned to Arkansas where he was ordained deacon by Bishop R. Bland Mitchell of Arkansas on June 6, 1944, and Bishop Mitchell advanced him to the priesthood on May 10, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin's first charge was St. Peter's Church in Conway, Arkansas, where he served from 1945 to 1949, and he became curate of St. Andrew's Church in New Orleans and chaplain to Episcopal students and institutions in New Orleans from 1950 to 1952; and

WHEREAS, in 1952, he became rector of Grace Church in Monroe, Louisiana, and six years later he became rector of All Saint's Junior College in Vicksburg and continued there until his election as bishop coadjutor; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin's consecration as bishop took place in St. James' Church in Jackson, Mississippi, on October 28, 1961, by chief consecrator, Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Arthur C. Lichenburger, with Bishop Duncan Gray of Mississippi and Bishop Girault M. Jones of Louisiana serving as co-consecrators; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin worked tirelessly for racial reconciliation, under the diocesan direction of Bishop Gray, as an executive member of the ecumenical Committee of Concern, which sought to rebuild over one hundred black churches that had been burned as a result of racial unrest; and

WHEREAS, instrumental in the establishing of the diocesan cathedral, Bishop Allin felt strongly that the diocese needed a cathedral, and thus he set his mind to achieving the goal that St. Andrew's Church in Jackson would become Mississippi's only Episcopal Cathedral; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin's work for the Diocese of Mississippi would continue with his succession as Diocesan of Mississippi after the retirement of Bishop Duncan Gray on May 31, 1966; and

WHEREAS, his clear light of reason was evident as recorded here in his 1966 State of the Church address: "Let us not join in cursing any or all of those who come from afar to launch programs for the sake of the needy among us, regardless of their motives, while at the same time we are opening doors to them by doing nothing to meet such needs. Let us not accuse the stranger of taking advantage of our poor and illiterate, if by such a manner as to protect them from the false prophets and power seekers. We do not seek argument here. It is rather logic and reason and right that is sought."; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin's work evolved with an increasing sensitivity to the role of women in the church and his amendments to the Episcopal canon to permit the election of women to vestries and mission committees; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin was responsible for the continued growth of the Diocese of Mississippi in the installation of St. Christopher's in Jackson, Ascension Mission in Hattiesburg, St. Michael and All Angels in Amory and Trinity Mission in Newton; and

WHEREAS, his commitment to God and the diocese was further revealed in his untiring efforts of compassion in dealing with the tremendous loss of human lives and devastation of church property in the wake of Hurricane Camille on August 17, 1969, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin remained entrenched throughout the days that followed, providing personal assistance to each of the Episcopal parishes in the wake of this horrible tragedy; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin continued his commitment to his faith and church with his election and installation on June 11, 1974, in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Washington, D.C., as the Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, during his 12 years as Presiding Bishop, Bishop Allin became personal friends with five United States Presidents and is remembered by President George Bush as being his greatest spiritual advisor and personal friend; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Allin is survived by his lovely and devoted wife, Frances Ann Kelly, and their four children, Martha May, John Maury, Jr., Kelly Ann and Frances Elizabeth; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to pay special tribute to such an outstanding man as Bishop John Maury Allin, whose long and distinguished career epitomizes a life full of selfless devotion to his God, his Church, his family and friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do commend the life and accomplishments of this devoted servant of the Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend John Maury Allin of Mississippi, and we express our deepest sympathy to his family upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of the Right Reverend John Maury Allin and members of the Capitol Press Corps.