He is known for his role in the Anglican realignment, which led to his participation in the controversial consecration in 2000 of two bishops opposed to the blessing of same-sex unions by the Episcopal Church, that took place in Singapore.

He attended the University of the South and, after having his studies briefly interrupted by service in the United States Army during World War II after which he was discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant, he received a bachelor of arts degree in 1949.

In 1990, during a meeting of the House of Bishops at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, he openly attacked liberals in the Church, accusing them of apostasy.

After the clash, a Holy Eucharist was celebrated, during which Allison refused to share the consecrated bread and wine with the rest of the House of Bishops, in a sign of broken communion.

Bishops Murphy and Rogers provided leadership to the conservative Anglican Mission in America, in which Allison, although remaining a member of the Episcopal Church, has also been active.