THE family of a Golborne father-of-two are devastated following a Catholic priest's refusal to honour his dying wish to be buried in his village church yard.

Relatives of Spence Seddon, who lost his 14-year fight against multiple sclerosis last week, claim they went through five days of torment before his interment on Friday - in Golborne St Thomas' CE churchyard.

They allege the parish priest at All Saints' RC Church, the Rev Fr John Joyce, refused the burial because Mr Seddon lived outside his parish.

And they have been told by their undertakers he was following an old code at All Saints that no body could be accepted for interment without Mass being conducted there.

Ex-lorry driver Mr Seddon, 54 (pictured), formerly of Borrowdale Road and Langley Close, had spent the last 18 months in respite care at the Shaw Cross Nursing Home, Stubshaw Cross, where his spiritual needs were tended by the Rev Fr John McLoughlin, of nearby St Winifred's RC Church.

Mr Seddon's wife, Agnes, for 14 years a housekeeper for two former priests at All Saints, said: "I have not been able to mourn my husband because of all this.

"The whole family feels we have been dealt a great injustice. I intend to take the matter further. I want to see that written rule for myself. The family have been put through so much trauma because Spence's last wish has not been carried out. "We both did a lot for All Saints and were Eucharistic ministers until illness struck."

Mr Seddon's sister, Joyce McDonnell, aso of Golborne, said: "Spence wanted Fr McLoughlin to conduct the funeral service and then be buried at All Saints, where he was married and his children were christened and confirmed.

"Fr Joyce did not agree, so we tried to get his Liverpool superiors to change his mind - to no avail.

"We were all upset, annoyed and distraught by our treatment.

"Spence had turned from CE to RC for his wife over 30 years ago.

"He was re-christened of his own accord at Liverpool Cathedral, active in the church and was a really good convert.

"He kept going to Mass as long as he could after being struck down with MS and kept up his faith throughout.

"The pressure on the family has been tremendous. We are absolutely disgusted that his last wish has not been carried out.

"We tried to contact Fr Joyce until Thursday afternoon, but his answerphone was on and he was not returning calls."

Mr Seddon was eventually interred at Golborne St Thomas' cemetery, where his parents are buried.

Mrs Seddon said: "If it had not been for the vicar, the Rev Richard Plant, being so gracious we would have been forced to have an Ashton burial."

Fr Joyce could not be contacted this week, but a spokesperson for the Liverpool Diocese said: "There is no direct church policy. The parish priest usually responds to pastoral needs."

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