'Her humanity was powerful': Jo Cox described to churchgoers as '21st century Good Samaritan'

Jo Cox was a "21st century Good Samaritan", churchgoers have been told in the village where she was killed.

The Rev Paul Knight told a congregation at St Peter's Church in the West Yorkshire community that the 41-year-old MP was "someone with whom Jesus would have been so pleased".

He said: "Her humanity was powerful and compelling and we would do well to recognise her as an amazing example – a 21st century Good Samaritan."

Knight said: "Jo was someone who went out of her way to help others.

"I regret to say I didn't know what she was like as a girl but she grew into a fervent advocate for the poor and oppressed.

"And though she must have been angry at times about what she saw here and around the world – those places she visited and worked – she seemed to me, at least, to be one who could fight with a passion and a disarming smile."

Knight was speaking as Cox's husband Brendan tweeted he took his children camping in memory of their mother.

Prayers were said at St Peter's for Cox and the couple's two young children.

Knight also remembered the bravery of pensioner Bernard Kenny, 77, who remains in hospital after he was injured coming to Mrs Cox's aid outside Birstall library on Thursday.

After reading the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible, the vicar said: "There is much wickedness in our world. But thank God there is so much goodness – goodness that does not recognise colour, not nationality."

A memorial fund to raise money for charities Cox supported has reached more than £620,000, with donations from over 20,000 people.