The Bishop of Southwark has announced he will retire next year, after 14 years of ministry.
Rt Rev Christopher Chessun will step down his 70th birthday on 4th August.
The Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, will serve as Acting Bishop of Southwark, until a successor is chosen.
Bishop Christopher is currently the Church’s lead for the Middle East, and was dubbed the ‘bionic bishop’, after a car accident left him needing reconstructive surgery on every bone in his face.
He told parishioners: "I am mindful of all that you have given generously and sacrificially, as clergy and lay people, to strengthen partnerships in the Gospel in the parishes and ministries to which you have been called. I thank God for you daily, and ask for your prayers in these concluding months.”
"This Diocese has been enormously blessed by Bishop's Christopher's reflective leadership style and pastoral care," Bishop Rosemarie said. "He has helped us, though all the changes and challenges, to always remember to speak well of and to each other, and to walk together even if we don't always see eye to eye - and it is these values that we will continue to honour as we move into the next phase of our diocesan life.”
Bishop Christopher will lead his final service in July 2026.