In a heartfelt introduction, the Bishop of Dorchester of the Oxford Diocese referred to him as a “modern-day prophet”.
Reverend Tim Hewes, a Church of England priest and former dentist, was recently acquitted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance due to his involvement in climate demonstrations on the M25 in 2022.
Revd Hewes first attracted national attention in 2021 for his climate activism when he sewed his mouth shut during a protest outside News UK’s office in London, a part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
Before his trial, he spent six weeks in remand custody and afterwards, he was fitted with an electronic ankle monitor which he wore while delivering sermons.
During this period, Revd Hewes began a diary, which has now been published under the title Finding Beauty Behind Bars: A Climate Activist’s Enforced Retreat.
The book recounts his experience from the raid on his home by eight Metropolitan police officers in 2022, through his incarceration, to his trial.
Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester, who provided the foreword for the book, detailed his initial encounter with the priest, leaving “feeling deeply humbled, aware that I had met a modern-day prophet,” and gave the book high praise.
He expressed, “This is a raw, honest, and moving piece of writing, and I found I had tears in my eyes as I read.”
The publication, featuring illustrations by Revd Hewes’ wife Andrea Hewes, will be available from Darton, Longman and Todd on April 22.
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