Here is the text of the Homily preached by the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool, at the Funeral Mass of the Right Reverend John Brewer, Bishop of Lancaster.Monday 19 June 2000 at 12.00 noon in the Cathedral Church of St Peter, Lancaster.

The word of God today was direct, straightforward, complete but affectionate too. It was the word of God we needed fittingly to enter sincerely into the Requiem Mass for Bishop John Brewer.

As he opened his eyes he began as he always did these last few years. "Ee it's R Archbishop". I said: "A little bird told me you weren't so good". "The little bird was right", he said. I then said: "I missed two meetings to come here and I'd rather be here" And that meant to both of us: it isn't a mild chill. One final word: "You're very kind". So he accepted I was right to be there because: it was time to return to the dust: to be awakened: to receive the light reserved for those who have instructed many in virtue.

He was passionate about the word of God as the norm for our speaking, preaching, living.Perhaps his death will be a stimulus to us his brother bishops to press on to prepare a solid, strong, challenging document on the word of God.Perhaps we must reflect again on his passion to ensure our conference is doctrinally, theologically powerful, confident, articulate.No doubt we shall miss the rigor of his ecumenism and determination to stride on with clarity, with searching dialogue, strong friendship which speaks the truth in love: the sort of friendship which blessed ecumenism in the days of the two Bishop Jacks of Lancaster.

And the word of God was deep today.'Carrying his own cross Jesus went out to Golgotha...to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, I am thirsty...that is My God, My God for you I long...It is accomplished and bowing his head he gave up his spirit...and immediately there came out blood and water...they will look on the one whom they have pierced.' They looked, we look on what sin has done, but then taken over by mercy and patience, to become the source of living water: the Spirit flows from a pierced, a broken heart.  

45 years ago Jack Brewer recommended to his then embarrassingly young server in the days before concelebrated Mass, the writings of Abbot Anscar Vonier.He let me loose into a world of real engagement with the truth of the Lord Jesus and his Body the Church.Jack, because you sent me deep, I will always thank the Lord for you.

Jack was deeply grateful to all those who sustained him in living and above all in his dying, his cousin Jean, his household on Cannon Hill, Boarbank Hall and many more, even, dare I say, R Archbishop.

My dear Father,

I am very grateful to Bishop Lindsay for deputising for me at the Mass of Chrism, but regret with all my heart that the course of radiotherapy robs me of this opportunity of being with you in the Cathedral.

Today of all days in the year is when the bishop and his priests recommit their lives to their shared Priesthood, to the People whom God has chosen them to serve, and to one another.It is more than likely that I shall be spread-eagled in the radiotherapy machine while this commitment is being pronounced.I shall have the text with me and will repeat it with you.I owe such an enormous debt of gratitude to you, to your people and to the deacons and religious.I thank the Lord for allowing me to share in some small way in His Passion.Perhaps this Holy Week for me is a great Grace.

May this week be a milestone on our pilgrim journey of making a New Start with Jesus, our High Priest and model.