Christopher Chessun

Chessun is a twin and was born on 5 August 1956.{{cite web |title=Southwark, Bishop of, (Rt Rev. Christopher Thomas James Chessun) |url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-42116 |website=Who's Who 2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U42116 |date=1 December 2019 |isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 }} He was educated at Hampton School, an all-boys private school in London.{{Who's Who | title=Chessun, Christopher Thomas James | id = U42116 | volume = 2017 | edition = November 2016 online | access-date = 10 June 2017 }} He studied modern history at University College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1978: as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree in 1982. He trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge, a liberal catholic theological college, while also studying theology at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA degree in 1982, having completed part II of the Theological Tripos.

Made a deacon at Petertide 1983 (3 July) by Conrad Meyer, Bishop of Dorchester, at Dorchester Abbey{{Church Times | title = Ordinations | archive = 1983_07_08_015 | issue = 6282 | date = 8 July 1983 | page = 15 | accessed = 10 June 2017 }} and ordained a priest the following Petertide (1 July 1984) by Patrick Rodger, Bishop of Oxford, at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford,{{Church Times | title = Petertide ordinations | archive = 1984_07_06_004 | issue = 6334 | date = 6 July 1984 | page = 4 | accessed = 10 June 2017 }} he served curacies at St Michael and All Angels Sandhurst and St Mary's PortseaDebrett's People of Today London, Debrett's, 2008 {{ISBN|978-1-870520-95-9}} and was then successively a chaplain at St Paul's Cathedral, London, rector of St Dunstan's, Stepney, Archdeacon of Northolt (2001–2005).

In 2005, he was appointed Bishop of Woolwich, an area bishop of the Diocese of Southwark. He was consecrated a bishop on 21 April 2005.{{Church Times | title = (picture caption) | archive = 2005_01_21_004 | issue = 7402 | date = 21 January 2005 | page = 4 | accessed = 10 June 2017 }} He is a passionate advocate of overseas church links.[http://southwark.anglican.org/about-us/who/bishops-and-officers/biographical-notes-bishops#chessun Diocese of Southwark — Bishops' biographical notes] (Accessed 10 June 2017)

Having served as an area bishop for over five years, his appointment as Bishop of Southwark was confirmed before a congregation at St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside on 17 January 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.southwark.anglican.org/news/pr/pr.php?id=1328 |title=Election confirmed of Tenth Bishop of Southwark |publisher=Diocese of Southwark |access-date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326110716/http://www.southwark.anglican.org/news/pr/pr.php?id=1328 |archive-date=26 March 2012 }} His enthronement at Southwark Cathedral 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. As Bishop of Southwark, his residence is Bishop's House, Streatham.{{Crockford | forenames = Christopher Thomas James | surname = Chessun | id = 24884 | accessed = 2 October 2017 }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2012/04/14/evangelicals-in-uproar-over-southwark-liberal-appointments/ |title=Evangelicals in Uproar Over Southwark Liberal Appointments |publisher=Anglican Mainstream |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221110730/http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2012/04/14/evangelicals-in-uproar-over-southwark-liberal-appointments/ |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}

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,{{cite web|url=http://www.co-mission.org.uk/Groups/175156/Co_Mission/ABOUT_US/A_M_I/A_M_I.aspx |title=Co-Mission – Reaching London for Christ |publisher=Co-mission.org.uk |date=24 April 2017 |access-date=5 June 2017}} who appointed Chessun as Bishop of Woolwich.

In November 2023, he was one of 44 Church of England bishops who signed an open letter supporting the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith (i.e. blessings for same-sex couples) and called for "Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy".{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Francis |title=Don't delay guidance allowing priests to be in same-sex marriages, say 44 bishops |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-november/news/uk/don-t-delay-guidance-allowing-priests-to-be-in-same-sex-marriages-say-44-bishops |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Church Times |date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102131648/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-november/news/uk/don-t-delay-guidance-allowing-priests-to-be-in-same-sex-marriages-say-44-bishops |archive-date=2 November 2023}}

• The Reverend Christopher Chessun (1983–2001){{cite web|url=http://www.southwark.anglican.org/news/pr275.htm |title=New Bishop of Woolwich |publisher=Diocese of Southwark |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204093747/http://www.southwark.anglican.org/news/pr275.htm |archive-date=4 February 2005 }}
• The Venerable Christopher Chessun (2001–2005)
• The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun (2005–present)

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{{S-bef|before=Colin Buchanan}}

{{S-ttl|title=Bishop of Woolwich|years=2005–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=Michael Ipgrave}}

{{S-bef|before=Tom Butler}}

{{S-ttl|title=Bishop of Southwark|years=2011–present}}

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{{Current Lords Spiritual}}

{{Bishops of Woolwich}}

{{Bishops of Southwark}}

{{Diocese of Southwark}}

{{Bishops for Urban Life and Faith}}

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Category:1956 births

Category:People educated at Hampton School

Category:Alumni of University College, Oxford

Category:20th-century English Anglican priests

Category:Archdeacons of Northolt

Category:21st-century Church of England bishops

Category:Living people

Category:Bishops of Southwark

Category:Bishops of Woolwich

Category:Lords Spiritual

Category:Bishops for Urban Life and Faith

Category:Alumni of Westcott House, Cambridge

Category:Alumni of Trinity Hall, Cambridge