Biography and Roles

Biography

Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, read Theology at the University of Manchester. After teaching Religious Studies and Economics in secondary education, he trained for ordination and pursued doctoral studies. Bishop Christopher has served in parochial and chaplaincy ministry and in theological education, latterly as Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of London for his services to education. He has written a number of theological books and articles and is currently working on Mary: Bearer of Life, to be published by SCM Press. 

Bishop Christopher was a member of the Church of England Liturgical Commission from 1996 – 2006, Co-Chair of the Joint Implementation Commission for the Anglican-Methodist Covenant from 2009 – 2014, and Chair of the Faith and Order Commission from 2012 - 2022.  From 2017 he chaired the Co-ordinating Group responsible for the creation of the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ teaching and learning resources which were launched in November 2020, for which Bishop Christopher was granted the Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity.

Bishop Christopher entered the House of Lords in January 2013 where he contributes on international matters, education, and ethics of beginning and end of life; he also seeks to give voice to life on the ground in Coventry and Warwickshire.  He is the recipient of the Großes Verdienstkreuz of the Federal Republic of Germany for his work on peace and reconciliation.

He is married to Charlotte, and they have a large family. Among his hobbies is organic fruit and vegetable gardening.

Roles and responsibilities

This page contains a list of the organisations, groups and committees that Bishop Christopher is involved in.

Patronages in the Diocese

  • Barcheston in Peril
  • British Organisation for People of Asian origin (BOPA)
  • Christian Outreach Relief & Development (CORD)
  • Coventry Diocesan Guild of Bellringers
  • Coventry Foodbank
  • CREATE (Christians Resourcing and Energising Artistic Talent Everywhere)
  • Friends of Shakespeare's Church
  • Global Care
  • Keeping Health in Mind
  • Mary Ann Evans Hospice
  • Positive About Young People
  • Radio Plus
  • Rugby Foodbank
  • The Hope Fund

National and International Patronages

  • African Pastors' Fellowship
  • Dresden Trust (ex-officio)
  • International Friendship and Reconciliation Trust
  • Philo Trust 

Chairships and Presidencies 

  • Anglican Methodist Covenant Joint-Implementation Commission (Co-Chair)
  • The Children's Society (Vice President)
  • Church of England's Faith and Order Commission (Chair)
  • Coventry and Warwickshire YMCA (President)
  • Coventry 2020 (Chair)
  • Dudley Lodge & St. Faith's Shelter (President)
  • Dugdale Society (Vice-President)
  • Friends of Coventry Cathedral (President)
  • The Heart of England Community Foundation (Joint President)
  • Medical and Life Sciences Research Fund (Vice-President) 
  • The Saints' Projects Trust (President)
  • Warwickshire County Cricket Club (Vice-Chair)

Diocesan, National and International Trusteeships

  • Coventry Refugee Centre
  • Frauenkirche Foundation (ex-officio)
  • Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (ex-officio)

Episcopal Visitor

  • CMS
  • The Community of Aidan and Hilda
  • Coventry Cathedral (ex-officio)
  • The Lord Leycester Hospital (ex-officio)

Board of Reference

  • Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Society and Church Body Membership

  • General Synod
  • House of Bishops' Standing Committee
  • The Society for the Study of Theology
  • The Society of Liturgical Study
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