Vicar urges forgiveness after teen murder

8:38pm Thursday 6th September 2007

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A vicar has called for a spirit of forgiveness for an "unbearable crime" at the funeral of murdered schoolboy Michael Morgan.

Nearly 300 friends and family members gathered at St Mary de Haura Church in Shoreham today for an emotional farewell to the 15-year-old who was found stabbed to death at a party in a Lancing caravan park this summer.

During the service Reverend Stephen Young drew a parallel to the killing of Rhys Jones, 11, who was shot in Liverpool and whose funeral was held on the same day in Liverpool Cathedral.

He said: "This is a challenge to you and to our whole nation to find reasons why our country is in such a state that these things should happen.

"Maybe in God's good time when justice has been done we may find some kind of solution and forgiveness for such unbearable crimes."

Earlier, Michael's family, of Nicholson Drive, Shoreham, arrived at the church in a funeral cortege of three black limousines.

They were greeted by hundreds of school children from King's Manor Community College, where Michael's school friends were given the afternoon off to attend the service.

Headteacher Heidi Brown drew a few smiles when she described Michael's relationship with his school in a speech at the service.

She said: "It would be fair to say Michael had a love-hate relationship with the school.

"He often wanted to be somewhere else when he was at school and when elsewhere he expressed a desire to come back to school.

"Academic study wasn't the top of his list of priorities but he was full of good intentions.

"He was a lovable rogue and those who knew him speak of his smile, his warmth and his caring nature."

During his short life Michael won manager's footballer of the year while playing for Adur Athletic's youth side.

Rev Young read a touching speech written by Michael's mother, Helen Long, in which she described how proud she was of this achievement.

In the message Mrs Long said: "He was a fantastic footballer. I was so proud of him when he won. I remember him saying he thought the other boys were better than him but I knew he was the best and that's why he won.

"How do I begin to tell you how much I miss him, my sweet, loving boy Michael.

"He's made my whole world light up. When they first placed him in my arms I cried with joy. Of course now I cry with pain."

The congregation all wore red ribbons in remembrance of Michael.

The service was opened with a recording of Starry Starry Night by Don MacLean and closed with Time To Say Goodbye by Catherine Jenkins.

Hymns included Morning Has Broken, Lord Of All Hopefulness and Abide With Me.

Michael was buried at Mill Lane cemetery in Shoreham.

A 16-year-old is to appear at Lewes Crown Court charged with the murder.

Leave your tributes to Michael below.