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We were saddened to hear that Fr. John Seddon had died on Friday, aged 62. I met Fr. Seddon a number of times over the years - both at Ushaw Seminary and around the Archdiocese of Liverpool.Â
It would be fair to say that we had rather a different understanding of things in the Church. Nevertheless, I was always struck by his welcoming and big-hearted nature. He was gregarious with a developed sense of humour. As a priest, he also cultivated a deep prayer life with the Lord.Â
Regular readers will recognize that Crosby Beach has been an important part of my life and walk with God. This was something I had in common with Fr. Seddon, who wrote: ''It is here, where the River Mersey meets the sea, that I find myself especially close to God.'' Indeed, the waterfront at Burbo Bank inspired him to write a book called Meditations by the Sea. My Dad had a copy of this and sometimes used it as an aid to prayer. During his life, Fr. Seddon spent many hours of prayer down at Burbo Bank.Â
Indeed, the sea formed an important part of Fr. Seddon's whole life and priesthood. Prior to becoming a priest, he was in the Naval Reserve as a seaman, gunner, minesweeper and trainee ship driver. Having been ordained in the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 1985, eventually serving as parish priest at St. Michael's in Kirkby, he also served for many years as the Apostleship of the Sea's Port Chaplain. In that role, he would travel as Catholic Chaplain on at least 25 long-range cruises.Â
Fr. Seddon was also known and loved throughout the country for his work as National Chaplain (R.C.) for Scouts.Â
His love of people, outgoing nature and experiences as a policeman and office-worker in younger days made him a popular figure in his various pastoral roles.
In his work for the Apostleship of the Sea, Fr. Seddon gave a good deal of pastoral support to people who had lost loved ones, and also to many crew members from the Philippines and Goa. For many of these - devout Catholics who were far from home and parish - the presence of Fr. Seddon on their vessels at Christmas and Easter was the only chance they could get to go to Confession. His availability to help passengers and crew travelling on the cruises even helped some lapsed Catholics to come back to the practice of the faith after many years of absence.
Fr. Seddon was very popular with scouts and scout leaders throughout England through his work as their National (R.C.) Chaplain. A scout using the name 'Big Chris' has paid a tribute to Fr. Seddon on an internet forum. He described him as a ''big, gentle, funny scouser.'' This gentleman explains that he first met Fr. Seddon in 1995, and that this meeting helped him to grieve for his Mum, who had died some time before: ''I don't know what he said. I remember how he said it.''
'Big Chris' also noted: ''My atheist best-friend said that camping with Fr. John was the only thing that ever made him question whether there might really be a God.''
Here is one of the prayers from Fr. Seddon's book Meditations by the Sea: ''Lord, help us to forget self and to learn the art of selfless love. Help us to reach out with Your love and care to the lame and the needy in our midst.''Â
Fr. John Seddon's funeral arrangements are to be confirmed, so please check before setting off for the Cathedral. However, the provisional information is as follows:-Â
Fr. Seddon's mortal remains will be received into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 19.00hrs on Thursday, 5th March.
His funeral Mass will be offered at 11.00hrs on Friday, 6th March.
Please remember him, his family and his friends in your prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto him dear Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace. Amen.Â
