The Rt Rev Christopher Chessun is to be the next Bishop of Southwark, 10 Downing Street announced this morning.

He is the tenth Bishop of Southwark, a diocese covering Greater London south of the River Thames and parts of Surrey.

Bishop Chessun has been Area Bishop of Woolwich for the last five years. He will continue to serve in his other role as Bishop for Urban Life and Faith, which he assumed in May of this year.

He succeeds Dr Tom Butler, who retired as Bishop of Southwark in March.

“I was surprised and humbled to have been nominated to be the tenth Bishop of Southwark,” said Bishop Chessun.

“The bishops work closely together in this very vibrant Diocese where clergy morale is high and the area system ensures that effective support is given in equipping the clergy and people of our parishes to serve the Kingdom of God in their localities.

“I greatly look forward to getting to know the priests, people and parishes across the whole diocese.

“By God's grace, I shall endeavour to deepen our unity in Christ and lead the diocese in mission and engagement with the wider community. Please pray for me as I prepare to serve as your new diocesan bishop.”

His appointment averts a crisis in the Church of England after the openly gay Dean of St Albans, Jeffrey John, was rejected for the post.

John had been among the candidates for the position but was dropped from the nominations in July after the Archbishop of Canterbury came under pressure from conservative Anglicans.

Reform and Anglican Mainstream were among the groups warning of a split in the Church of England if he were to be appointed as Bishop of Southwark.

The Rt Rev Nick Baines, the Bishop of Croydon, an Area Bishop in the Diocese of Southwark, has welcomed Bishop Chessun’s appointment.

He described Bishop Chessun as an “able and respected” leader who would bring to his new post a “robust adherence to the faith and discipline of the Church”.