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 which 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.
“As a priest you have to juggle being humble and not hide your light under a bushel. The Lord tells us to do both,” he said after hearing news of his award.
Also receiving an MBE in the honours list is Kay Saunders, Senior Teaching Assistant, Our Lady Catholic Primary School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
She teaches maths, and runs support groups before during and after school for children who need extra help and also for gifted children.
"I am not a Catholic myself but the faith is very strong in the school,” she said. “I am Church of England and the values are exactly the same as the ones I believe in. The Catholic faith at the school is very strong and incorporated into everything we do."
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