Priest who led response to Jersey killings is honoured

A Catholic priest in Jersey who led his community’s response to the murder of six people has been given an MBE.

Mgr Nicholas France said the requiem Mass for three adults and three children who were killed in St Helier in 2011. Damian Rzeszowski’s victims included his wife and two children, who were aged five and two. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012.

The priest, who has been given the award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his work with migrants, also helped establish a welcome centre for Portuguese immigrants, of whom there are roughly 12,000 on the island.

Mgr France, who has been in Jersey for 15 years, also welcomed the Muslim community, offering them a church hall as their first place of worship.

Also receiving an MBE in the honours list is Kay Saunders, senior teaching assistant, Our Lady Catholic Primary School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, although she is not a Catholic.

She teaches maths, and runs support groups for pupils.