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Tributes have been paid to a beloved figure in Jersey’s Catholic Church who passed away yesterday morning at the age of 81.
Monsignor Canon Nicholas France, who headed the Catholic Church in Jersey for almost two decades, was known for his service to the religious community and local minority groups.
During his time as the Roman Catholic Dean of Jersey, he worked to restore St Thomas Church and to ensure that immigrant communities felt welcomed and supported.
Pictured: Monsignor France met the Pope in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
His efforts included setting up a local Catholic social action charity, launching free English language classes for newcomers to the island, and creating a weekly meeting space for young Christians through the Jersey Association of Catholic Youth.
He also spoke out about housing inequality and urged fairer treatment for immigrant families.
Recognised with an MBE in 2014 for his work with faith and ethnic groups, Monsignor France was also known for his engaging sermons and ability to connect with his congregation.
Born in Worthing, Monsignor France was ordained in 1968 and arrived in Jersey in 1999.
Initially reluctant about the move, he later described his 19 years on the island as among the "most happy and fulfilling of my life".
After retiring at the age of 75 as required by Canon Law, Monsignor France spoke with Express's sister publication – the Jersey Evening Post – about his time on the island.
"Obedience to my bishop, promised on the day of my ordination, was best tested whenever he or his successors asked me to move to a new work or parish," explained Monsignor France in 2018, whose ecclesiastical career saw him work throughout the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth – including in Windsor and Southampton.
"In 1999 I was preparing for the Millennium in Southampton when all of a sudden the bishop asked me to come to Jersey. I was horrified at first – Jersey is part of the Diocese of Portsmouth, but it was the last place I wanted to go.
"It was a huge job and I was the first to put the English and the French Catholic parishes together – St Thomas' with its French tradition, and St Mary and St Peter's with its Irish-English traditions."
Pictured: Monsignor Canon Nicholas France headed the Catholic Church in Jersey for almost two decades.
Monsignor France said that he remembered being struck by the "large amount of Portuguese in the island", and how his job was made harder when the only Portuguese-speaking priest in Jersey was "pushed off after two weeks to go to Australia".
"That left me with the responsibility of looking after the Portuguese community," he reflected. "So here was I, not a linguist, learning to celebrate mass in Portuguese."
Many different immigrant populations came to Jersey over the years and Monsignor France launched Caritas Jersey – an international branch of the Catholic charity – in 2013 to help cater for their needs.
In 2018, Monsignor France also raised concerns about unequal treatment faced by Jersey's Portuguese and Polish communities in the private rental housing market.
He said: "It's a big issue which I hope [newly appointed Housing Minister] Senator Sam Mézec is going to tackle head-on – he's certainly got my vote. He sees the real issues and housing is one of them.
"I've never been able to get anybody in the private sector to agree that they should have rent control – they shouldn't just be able to charge what they want. In England, you first have to make sure it is a fair rent."
The politician, now a Deputy and still continuing to advocate for stronger renter protections as Housing Minister, paid tribute to the late priest on social media yesterday.
Deputy Mézec wrote: "Nicholas was an absolutely lovely man who was passionately committed to social justice in Jersey.
"He played a crucial role in helping to set up the Living Wage campaign. I was very grateful for the help he provided on constituency cases too. Rest in peace."
This very sad news. Nicholas was an absolutely lovely man who was passionately committed to social justice in Jersey. He played a crucial role in helping to set up the Living Wage campaign.
— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) December 3, 2024
I was very grateful for the help he provided on constituency cases too.
Rest in peace ???? https://t.co/mE1x7dXcag
Monsignor France also previously said that his other "big concern" was the underrepresentation of minority ethnic groups in Jersey's States Assembly.
He said: "They don't get the vote really – apart from Carina Alves [a Portuguese woman elected to a Deputy seat in St Helier in the 2018 election]."
Since then, Deputy Alves has continued to serve as a States Member, securing the top position in the St Helier Central district in the most recent election.
While she remains the only Portuguese politician, the 2022 election saw Raluca Kovacs becoming the first representative of Romanian heritage and Beatriz Porée making history as Jersey's first Deputy of colour.
Writing on social media yesterday, Deputy Alves said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of his passing.
"He was a prominent, caring, and supportive person throughout my life growing up in Jersey and the Catholic church," she said.
"He gave me boundless encouragement when I first stood for election, signing my nomination paper, praising me in public, and urging others to support me."
She continued: "As well as having a positive impact by listening, acting with compassion, and advocating for the Portuguese community in the island.
"Your memory and impact will live on in my heart and in many others in Jersey."
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in Jersey issued a statement calling for prayers and reflecting on Monsignor France's impact.
Canon Dominic Golding, his successor as Catholic Dean, said: "Many of us will long treasure the ministry of Monsignor Nicholas.
"His pastoral work in Jersey touched many people's lives. He lived under the guidance of the gospel. Let us pray now for his soul to rest in peace."
Tributes also poured in on social media, with islanders describing him as "wonderful", "friendly", welcoming", "kind" and "a true gentleman".
One said: "Father Nicholas was a wonderful Pastor and was significant in the lives of many parishioners.
"I valued his spiritual guidance as well as his humour."
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