Catholics honoured in New Year list

CATHOLIC teachers and charity heads were among those recognised in the New Year Honours list, writes Liz Dodd.

In politics Denis Keefe, Ambassador to Serbia, who was educated at the Campion School in Hornchurch, north London, was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).

In sports Mark Cueto, the former England rugby player, who was a pupil at St Thomas More school in Crewe, Cheshire, was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to rugby union.

Anthony Peter (“AP”) McCoy becomes a knight for services to horse racing. The Northern Irish jockey, who retired at the end of the last National Hunt season, is the most successful British jockey of all time.

Among charities recognised were the mental health charity Mind, whose Catholic chief executive, Paul Farmer, will become a CBE, and the homelessness charity Depaul UK.

Hannah Carmichael, a trustee of Depaul, was made an OBE for services to homeless and vulnerable young people.

Catholic schools were also recognised. Maureen Martin, headteacher at Coloma Convent Girls’ School in Croydon, was made an OBE for services to education, as was Pauline Wilson, headteacher at Ursuline Preparatory School in Essex.

Meanwhile the former Secretary General of the Church of England, William Fittall, who presided over the debate around women bishops, will be knighted.

Neil Jameson, executive director of Citizens UK, a community organisation with many Catholic members that was instrumental in the UK’s Living Wage campaign, was awarded a CBE.