Tributes have been paid to Monsignor Canon Nicholas France, Jersey’s former Catholic Dean, who has died aged 81.

Monsignor France was head of St Thomas’ Church for nearly two decades until his retirement in 2018.

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.

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.

He was made an MBE for services to Jersey’s ethnic communities in 2014.

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”.

Just months before his retirement and for the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Monsignor France travelled to Rome to meet Pope Francis, who thanked him for his years of service and dedication to the church.

Caritas Jersey tweeted a drawing of Monsignor Nicholas France and said the charity’s founder uncovered the great disparity between Jersey’s ‘have’s’ and ‘have nots’ and may he ‘Rest in Peace’.

His successor, Canon Dominic Golding, said: ‘Many of us will long treasure the ministry of Mgr 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.’