The Archdiocese of Liverpool was saddened to learn of the death of Canon Vincent Burrowes. He was 97, and had only celebrated his Platinum Jubilee of priesthood last year.

Vincent Richard Burrowes, the son of James and Hannah Burrowes, was born in Liverpool on 3 December 1926. He received his early education at various schools in Liverpool - the Notre Dame Demonstration School, St Matthew’s School, and St Edward’s College - before entering St Joseph’s College, Upholland, to begin his seminary formation. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Halsall in the college chapel at Upholland on 30th May 1953.

Following ordination, he served as assistant priest in several parishes across the archdiocese: St Marie, Standish (August 1953); Holy Cross, St Helens (January 1960); St Margaret Mary, Liverpool (April 1962), and St Anne, Liverpool (October 1964). In June 1967, he moved to the newly opened Metropolitan Cathedral as Bursar, and the following year he was appointed by Archbishop Beck as Administrator of the Building Fund.

Archbishop Derek Worlock introduced the office of episcopal vicar to the archdiocesan structure within a year of his appointment. Thus, Fr Burrowes was appointed as Episcopal Vicar for Finance and Development in February 1977. At the same time, he left the Cathedral and took up residence at Our Lady of Good Help, Wavertree. In May 1977, he was appointed as an honorary canon, and was promoted to the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter in March 1980.

In the summer of 1980, he took up his first appointment as parish priest, moving to St Paul, West Derby. Though he now had parochial responsibilities, he continued in office as episcopal vicar until the appointment of Fr Michael McKenna in 1983. He remained at St Paul’s for a further nine years, enjoying a fruitful and happy ministry in this busy parish. In September 1992 he moved out of Liverpool for the first time in more than 30 years, as he took up appointment as parish priest at St Lewis, Croft. There he remained until his retirement in 2005.

In retirement he lived in Southport until the final year of his life, when his increased frailty necessitated a move to nursing home in St Helens. He died on Wednesday 28 February 2024.

May he rest in peace.

His funeral details are as follows:

Monday 18 March 7.30 pm at St Paul’s Church, Town Row, West Derby, Liverpool L12 8SJ

Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of St Joseph will be led by canons of the Chapter at 7.00 p.m.

The reception of the body and the Vigil Mass will follow at 7.30 p.m. Archbishop Malcolm will preside at the Vigil Mass.

Tuesday 19 March 12 noon at St Matthew’s Church, Queens Drive, Liverpool L13 5DL

Funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop John Rawsthorne. Interment will follow at Yew Tree Cemetery.