The Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, is retiring this in the summer 2026. Bishop Christopher has served our diocese faithfully for many years, soon it will be time for the diocese to begin the exciting process of choosing a successor. More information about this process can be found on the Diocesan website. The Diocese are giving an opportunity for everyone to share their views by completing a clever short survey, asking three simple questions, and giving an option to comment. Bishop Rosemarie video. gives a guide of what to expect before completing the survey. It is encouraging single word answers, which will be collated to gleen an overall picture of collective thoughts. It is open to everybody.
As the local churches begin this process we do join together in praying the diocese prayer.
God of all times and places, send us a Bishop who will
lead us faithfully through days of rejoicing and nights of challenge,
with prayer and Scripture, with love and laughter,
with bread and wine. Send your Holy Spirit to
guide those entrusted with this process.
May they recognise the person of your choice, with ears that are open
and hearts that are wise. Make us thankful for all that has gone before,
ready and hopeful for all that lies ahead,
led by a Bishop whose ministry is a blessing to everyone in Southwark Diocese,
as we hear the good news of Jesus
and delight in the love of God.
We also continue to pray for Bishop Christopher, and our Area Bishop Rosemarie, as they continue to love God and love the people of the diocese with all its rich diversity and historic broad scope. Each Bishop holds all that has gone before and all that is now and all that will be, it is a challenging task to take on, so we pray for wise process.
Jesus, we thank you for Bishop Christopher as he begins the end of his ministry as Bishop of Southwark.
Would you bless him and uphold him and enable him to finish well in this role.
We thank you for his work, his commitment and his love of people in this large patch of land.
Come Holy Spirit on him over the coming months, and bring your honour and love.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18.