LANCASTER said goodbye to its popular bishop th is week.

The Right Reverend John Brewer was laid to rest at the cathedral of St Peter on Monday.

Britain's most senior catholic, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, was the main celebrant and the homily was preached by the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool.

Archbishop Kelly spoke of his sadness at the death of his friend and colleague, and spoke emotionally about their final meeting, the day before Bishop Brewer's death a week ago.

"The word of God today was direct, straightforward, complete but affectionate too" he said: "It was the word of God we needed fittingly to enter sincerely into the requiem mass for Bishop John Brewer." He used the words of Abbot Anscar Vonier, the same words recommended to him by Bishop Brewer when he was a young reader.

"He let me loose into a world of real engagement with the truth of Lord Jesus and his body, the Church. Jack, because you sent me deep, I will always thank the Lord for you."

Meanwhile, Monsignor Patrick O'Dea, one of the three Vicars General of the Diocese, will be the temporary administrator of the Lancaster diocese. Monsignor O'Dea has spent over 50 years working across the diocese.

He said: "Mgr Greg Turner in Carlisle, Mgr Peter Verity in Preston, along with myself, have already had six months of happily working together during the bishop's illness.

"We shall now together maintain the momentum of all that Bishop John stood for.

"Until such time as a new Bishop is appointed to Rome."