Barnabas Aid International’s New CEO Pulps 20,000 Christian Books — Including the Life's Work of Its Founder

By David W. Virtue, DD | www.virtueonline.org  | July 30, 2026

Some 20,000 volumes of Christian books and ministry resources — many of them written by the late Barnabas Aid International founder and director Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo — have been summarily destroyed under the charity's incoming chief executive, Colin Bloom.

In a full interview with Dr. Chris Sugden, subsequently summarized on the Anglican Mainstream website, Bloom — the new Chief Executive of Barnabas Aid International/NEXCUS — confirmed that approximately seventeen pallets of books had been pulped because they were regarded as occupying costly warehouse space.

Questions were immediately raised as to why it was necessary to destroy these publications which included the second volume of the autobiography books by former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, a personal friend of Dr. Sookhdeo.

Many of the destroyed works were written by Dr. Sookhdeo himself, internationally recognized for his scholarship on religious freedom, Christian persecution and Christian-Muslim relations. His writings have shaped discussions of religious freedom, persecution, Islamic studies and Christian witness for more than four decades and continue to be cited internationally.

New evidence now indicates that the books were not destroyed immediately. Photographs taken during August 2024 show the systematic removal of books from the St. Michael's, Pewsey bookroom, after those involved in the removal stated that the books were being taken to Swindon for archiving. That explanation was subsequently confirmed by senior staff, who indicated that the archiving operation was being managed by Mr. Jayson Quivetto.

The books were later transported to a warehouse in Swindon before ultimately being destroyed. The existence of this intermediate “archiving” stage raises important questions about how — and when — the decision to pulp the books was ultimately reached.

Far More Than One Author's Books

The loss extends well beyond one scholar's legacy. Destroyed alongside Dr. Sookhdeo's works were ministry resources donated for Christian education, evangelism and the support of the persecuted Church. Collectively they represented decades of charitable investment and the generosity of many individual supporters.

Even where individual titles remain obtainable elsewhere, the destruction of so large an archive constitutes a significant loss to Christian publishing and ministry heritage.

According to contemporaneous inventory records and eyewitness accounts, the stock included:

• Isaac Publishing publications;

• Barnabas Fund books and printed ministry resources;

• Christian books from the former River Centre bookshop;

• donated theological works for OCRPL students;

• approximately twelve boxes of new King James Version Bibles donated for ministry use;

• Arabic Scripture portions donated specifically for distribution among persecuted Christians;

• publications by other Christian authors and publishers, including works by Robert Hicks.

The destruction therefore appears to have involved not simply commercial surplus stock but a substantial body of Christian literature accumulated over many years for ministry, education and charitable distribution.

Were Authors and Donors Consulted?

As far as can presently be established, neither Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo's estate nor other authors whose works were destroyed were consulted before the books were pulped.

Equally important questions arise concerning the donated materials. Supporters who generously gave Bibles, Scripture portions and theological resources for Christian education, evangelism and the support of persecuted Churches may reasonably ask whether those gifts were ever intended to become waste paper — at a time when many churches, seminaries and Christian ministries around the world continue desperately to need such resources.

Questions of Stewardship

Regardless of legal ownership, the destruction of approximately 20,000 books represents the irreversible loss of resources accumulated through decades of charitable ministry and donor generosity.

Many supporters will naturally ask:

• Why was destruction considered preferable to donation to other organizations?

• Were theological colleges, seminaries, universities or Christian libraries invited to receive the books?

• Were mission partners and persecuted churches overseas offered the Bibles and Christian literature?

• Were authors or their estates informed or consulted?

• Were donors consulted where donated materials were involved?

• Was the Board fully informed before the decision was taken?

• How does this course of action accord with the stewardship responsibilities of Christian charities?

• Who ultimately authorized the destruction?

These are questions of stewardship rather than of mere administration.

A Call for Transparency

These questions are raised in the interests of accountability and good stewardship.

The Christian community deserves a clear explanation for the destruction of some 20,000 books and ministry resources. This is not simply an operational matter. It concerns the preservation of Christian scholarship, the faithful stewardship of charitable assets, and the honoring of the generosity of authors, donors and supporters whose contributions helped create these resources in the first place.

The destruction of these books raises serious questions as to the motives and intentions of Colin Bloom — and as to what purpose was served in erasing the memory of the man who founded the ministry he now leads.

David W. Virtue, DD is the founder and editor of VirtueOnline, an orthodox Anglican online news and commentary website. He writes on the culture wars as they impact the church and on Middle East issues as they have erupted causing harm and distress to the state of Israel.