10:27am Friday 3rd October 2008
By Jonathan Moyes
A VICAR has described the murder of a woman in the grounds of his church as 'a scar on our community'.
Rev Simon Heathfield, team rector at St Mary's Church in Walthamstow Village, has spoken for the first time about the death of Melita Jo, whose body was discovered by a passer-by on Tuesday morning.
Filipino Mrs Jo, 53, often slept on a bench in the graveyard and sometimes sought shelter in the church porch at night.
Rev Heathfield, said: "The shocking violence of her death is a scar on our community and grieves us all.
"In this undoubted tragedy our hearts go out to all who will be affected by her death.
"This senseless tragedy challenges everyone of goodwill in Walthamstow to redouble our efforts to build a more peaceful, safer community for all.
"Along with many in our community we are appalled that anyone’s life should end in this fashion. "We encourage anyone with any knowledge about these events to cooperate fully with the police enquiry.
"I can't believe that a human being can do something this evil."
He added: "A pleasant and peaceful lady of deep Christian convictions, Mrs Jo will be sadly missed and remembered in prayers this Sunday."
He said the church is inviting the public to join them in a vigil for peace and against violence this Sunday at 12.45pm outside the church in Church Lane.
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