The Catholic Dean of Jersey was due to lead his last service before he retires and leaves the Island, 50 years after being ordained a priest.
The mass was due to be held at 10.30 am in the Gloucester Hall and members of the community were due to be able to make their personal farewells at a reception afterwards in the Queen’s Hall.
Monsignor France’s 19 years as head of the Catholic Church in Jersey has also been celebrated over the past week with a vin d’honneur in the main hall at Highlands College, hosted by the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, and attended by other church leaders and States Members.
During the event on Wednesday, Sir William presented Monsignor France with the Bailiff’s Silver Medal in recognition of his significant contribution to the Island as its Catholic Dean.
The following day St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft hosted a dinner at the Town Hall, with entertainment provided by Portuguese dancers and singers.
The Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, the Right Rev Philip Egan, has appointed his Vicar General and Dean of his Cathedral, Canon Dominic Golding, as the new Catholic Dean of Jersey.
Canon Golding (49), who was born in Southampton, was ordained a priest in 1994 and has been Dean of the Catholic Cathedral of St John in Portsmouth for the past five years where he has also served as the Bishop’s deputy as Vicar General of the Diocese.
Previously he served as a parish priest in the principal parishes of Reading and Basingstoke and he will be based at St Thomas’ Church in St Helier..
