In office 2011–present Role Bishop of Woolwich Consecration April 21, 2005 Name Christopher Chessun Ordination 1983 | Denomination Anglican Predecessor Tom Butler Nationality British Education Hampton School | |
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Other posts Bishop for Urban Life and Faith (2009–present)
area Bishop of Woolwich (2005–2011) Born 5 August 1956 (age 67)
Hampton, Middlesex, United Kingdom ( 1956-08-05 ) Alma mater University College, Oxford Diocese Anglican Diocese of Southwark | ||
Enthronement of christopher chessun as bishop of southwark
Christopher Thomas James Chessun (born 5 August 1956) is the Bishop of Southwark in the Church of England.
Contents
- Enthronement of christopher chessun as bishop of southwark
- Early life and education
- Ordained ministry
- Styles
- References
Early life and education
Chessun was educated at Hampton School and University College, Oxford.
Ordained ministry
Made a deacon at Petertide 1983 (3 July) by Conrad Meyer, Bishop of Dorchester, at Dorchester Abbey and ordained a priest the following Petertide (1 July 1984) by Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford, at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, he served curacies at All Angels' Sandhurst and St Mary's Portsea and was then successively a chaplain at St Paul's Cathedral, London, rector of St Dunstan's, Stepney, Archdeacon of Northolt (2001–2005). He was appointed Bishop of Woolwich and consecrated a bishop on 21 April 2005. He is a passionate advocate of overseas church links and has an identical twin brother.
Having served as the area Bishop of Woolwich for over five years the bishopric of Southwark was confirmed before a congregation at St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside on 17 January 2011. His Southwark Cathedral enthronement took place on 6 March 2011.
In March 2011 he began public ministry as the 10th Bishop of Southwark. He is a strong advocate for the parish system as the most effective means of church presence and engagement in the life of local communities, including the need to proclaim the Gospel afresh amid the rapid changes in church and community life.
Chessun is also the lead Bishop for Urban Life and Faith for the Church of England. This offers him an opportunity to contribute to debates and discussions on the importance of the churches' contribution to urban and public policy within society. In 2012, a number of Evangelicals criticised him for the appointment of Liberal Catholics to his leadership team.
In May 2011, the Church of England declared that three members of the diocese participating in the Anglican Mission in England, ordained in Kenya, were in an impaired state of communion with Chessun due to a conflict of views on homosexuality. These "irregular" clergy would have to seek other bishops to ordain their candidates. His views are similar to those of his predecessor, Tom Butler, who appointed Chessun as Bishop of Woolwich.