Education
Chessun was educated at Hampton School and University College, Oxford.
priest Bishop of Southwark Bishop of Woolwich
Chessun was educated at Hampton School and University College, Oxford.
Having served as the area Bishop of Woolwich for over five years the bishopric of Southwark was confirmed before a congregation at Street Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside on 17 January 2011. His Southwark Cathedral enthronement took place on 6 March 2011. Ordained a priest in 1984, he served curacies at All Angels" Sandhurst and Street Mary's Portsea and was then successively a chaplain at Street Paul’s Cathedral, London, rector of Street Dunstan"s, Stepney, Archdeacon of Northolt (2001–2005) and, on being ordained to the episcopate, Bishop of Woolwich in 2005.
Chessun"s modestly tolerant beliefs on homosexuality were cited by him as the technical reason for declaring the ordinations of three clergy in his diocese to be "valid but irregular".
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.
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.
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 small number of Evangelicals criticised him for the appointment of Liberal Catholics to his leadership team The Reverend Christopher Chessun (1983–2001)
The Venerable Christopher Chessun (2001–2005)
The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun (2005–present).
He is a passionate advocate of overseas church links and has an identical twin brother.