Christopher Chessun
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| Christopher Chessun | |
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| Name | Christopher Chessun |
| Birth date | 1956 |
| Birth place | Cambridge |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Anglican bishop |
| Title | Bishop of Southwark |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of Southwark |
Christopher Chessun is a British Anglican bishop who has served as the Bishop of Southwark in the Church of England since 2011. He is noted for pastoral leadership within the Diocese of Southwark, engagement with London civic institutions and contributions to debates within the General Synod of the Church of England. His background spans parish ministry, theological education and diocesan governance.
Early life and education
Chessun was born in Cambridge and educated at local schools before reading Theology at St Chad's College, Durham and studying for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He undertook further postgraduate study at King's College London and participated in ministerial formation linked to the Church of England training pathways. His formative years connected him to academic communities in Cambridge, Durham University, and the University of London.
Ordained ministry
After ordination, he served curacies and parish appointments in urban and suburban contexts, including posts in Hammersmith, Islington and elsewhere in London. He held incumbencies that involved mission initiatives, pastoral care, parish development and involvement with diocesan synods such as the Diocese of London and later the Diocese of Southwark. Chessun worked with ministerial training teams connected to Ripon College Cuddesdon and contributed to clergy formation programmes with links to Church House, Westminster and national bodies. His parish work brought him into collaboration with civic bodies including Southwark Cathedral, local councils and voluntary organisations.
Episcopal ministry
Consecrated a bishop in 2011, he succeeded predecessors in the See of Southwark and took part in episcopal oversight across south London, Surrey and East Sussex. As Bishop of Southwark he has presided over initiatives in urban mission, church planting, safeguarding and clergy deployment across deaneries such as Croydon, Lambeth and Wandsworth. He has sat in the House of Bishops and represented the diocese at the General Synod of the Church of England, engaging with legislation and measures introduced at Church House, Westminster. Internationally, his episcopal relationships include links with partner dioceses in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, participating in exchange visits and ecumenical conversations with leaders from the Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church in Britain and United Reformed Church.
Views and public statements
Chessun has spoken publicly on matters debated in the General Synod of the Church of England including pastoral responses, liturgical revision and the church's role in public life. He has made statements on ethical issues debated in the House of Commons and in national media outlets such as the BBC and The Guardian about pastoral care, same-sex relationships and clerical discipline. He has engaged with public authorities including the Mayor of London's office and local borough councils on social provision, housing and community cohesion in Southwark and Croydon. On international matters he has commented on humanitarian crises involving countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, collaborating with relief agencies like Christian Aid and Tearfund.
Personal life
He is married and has family connections within congregational life; his personal interests include reading theological works by authors from Oxford University Press lists and engagement with community arts programmes in London. He participates in ecumenical gatherings with clergy from the Anglican Communion and visiting delegations from provinces such as Church of Nigeria and Anglican Church of Canada. His residence as diocesan bishop is within the Diocese of Southwark's episcopal housing arrangements.
Honours and appointments
Chessun has held appointments to diocesan boards and committees including diocesan synod roles, chairs of clergy discipline panels and membership of national Church of England working groups. He has been invited to lecture at institutions such as King's College London, St Mellitus College and Westcott House, Cambridge. Civic recognitions include engagements with the London Borough of Southwark and formal invitations to events at Southwark Cathedral and Lambeth Palace.
Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Church of England bishops Category:People from Cambridge