The Diocese of Southwark has given thanks for the ministry of Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, the 10th Bishop of Southwark, as he prepares to retire from his role in August.

A special Valedictory Eucharist, at which Bishop Christopher presided and preached, has been held at Southwark Cathedral.

Thanking those present the bishop said he was retiring with “a deep and heartfelt sense of gratitude for the joy of walking alongside you as fellow pilgrims in the way of Christ, and all of us working together for the common good. It has been a great and joyful privilege to serve in this wonderful Diocese”.

During the service, Bishop Christopher handed on the crozier to Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, who will serve as Acting Bishop of Southwark until a new diocesan bishop is appointed. He was also symbolically divested of his mitre and chasuble, which were laid on the cathedral’s altar.

Reflecting on the memories and reflections that others have shared about Bishop Christopher’s ministry, diocesan secretary Nicola Thomas said: “The theme that has come through, again and again, is his ability to call people by name, to make the person that he is dealing with, in that moment, feel seen, heard, noticed, special. Bishop Christopher has operated in a fully integrated way as pastor and leader – in one of his favourite phrases, he has ‘inhabited’ the role of Bishop of Southwark in a way that seems to permeate his entire mode of being. Bishop Christopher, we will miss you.”

At the end of the service, the Dean of Southwark, Very Rev Dr Mark Oakley, said Bishop Christopher had been "a pilgrim amongst pilgrims, a generous pastor, and a teacher in the school of Jesus Christ because, at the end of the day, only God matters. We have needed to hear this and, please God, we will continue to.”

Bishop Christopher will retire on his 70th birthday, after 43 years in ordained ministry.