Christopher John Cocksworth is a Church of England bishop in the open evangelical tradition.
Education
He was brought up in Horsham and attended Forest School for Boys and Collyer"s Sixth form College, then the University of Manchester where he earned a first class degree in theology and later was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy under the supervision of Richard Bauckham. Having studied for ordination at Street John"s College, Nottingham, he became a curate at Christ Church, Epsom Common in the Diocese of Guildford in 1988.
Career
He is the current (9th) Bishop of Coventry. He was consecrated as bishop in Southwark Cathedral, London, on 3 July 2008 and was enthroned on 1 November 2008. Prior to becoming bishop he was the Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
He is the son-in-law of David Pytches, former diocesan Bishop of Chile, Bolivia & Peru.
In 1992, he moved to become chaplain of Royal Holloway, University of London until 1997. He then became director of the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme.
A position he relinquished in 2001. He was made an honorary canon of Guildford Cathedral in 1999.
He was later the principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge.
His nomination for the appointment of Bishop of Coventry on the retirement of Colin Bennetts was announced on 3 March 2008. He was formally elected by the cathedral chapter in May 2008, following the issue of a Congé d"Elire by the Queen on 6 May 2008. He was consecrated as a bishop on 3 July 2008 in Southwark Cathedral and was enthroned on 1 November 2008.
He is the youngest serving diocesan bishop.
On 15 July 2009, Cocksworth was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa, of the University of London. The award was conferred by Royal Holloway, University of London, at a ceremony held in the college’s chapel.
The University of London awards honorary degrees to those of conspicuous merit, outstanding in their field, or those who have given exceptional service to the university. Cocksworth was honoured for his services to education – particularly higher education – and to the church as well as for his service to Royal Holloway.
The Reverend Christopher Cocksworth (1988–1989)
The Reverend Doctor Christopher Cocksworth (1989–1999)
The Reverend Canon Doctor Christopher Cocksworth (1999–2008)
The Right Reverend Doctor Christopher Cocksworth (2008–present).