The Archdiocese of Liverpool was saddened to learn of the death of Fr Vincent Fedigan. He was 78 years old, and in his 53rd year of the priesthood.

Vincent Fedigan was born in Pemberton on 7 February 1947, the son of Joseph and Esther Fedigan. He spent his early childhood in St Cuthbert’s parish, Pemberton, and attended the parish primary school before going on to Upholland College to complete his seminary formation.

Whilst in seminary, he proved himself to be a very capable and organised sacristan for a busy seminary community. He was ordained to the sacred priesthood at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, on 27 May 1972 by Archbishop George Andrew Beck.

Following ordination, he served in three parishes as assistant priest: Holy Family, Halewood (1972-77); St Robert Bellarmine, Bootle (1977-80) and St William of York, Thornton (1980-86). In October 1986, he succeeded Fr Louis Rotherham as parish priest at Thornton and served a further 10 years in that parish.

After a brief period of sick leave, he returned to parish ministry in January 1997, when he was appointed as parish priest at St David’s, Newton-le-Willows. Eventually his pastoral oversight extended to all the parishes in Newton-le-Willows: St Mary and St John from 2002, and St Patrick from 2012. Thus, for more than twenty years he gave quiet, unassuming, and dedicated pastoral service to the people of this small town. He was renowned, and one might venture popular, both at Newton and at Thornton for the brevity of his Sunday afternoon Masses.

He retired from active ministry in the summer of 2021, living firstly with his sister at Orrell, and then in a nursing home at Upholland, until his death on Thursday 13th March 2025.

May he rest in peace.