A FORMER Bishop of Worcester will be remembered for the humour, warmth and enthusiasm he brought to his role, church leaders said today.

The Rt Rev Philip Goodrich died in Hereford County Hospital yesterday, following a short illness. He was 71.

Friends and worshippers were shocked by his sudden death.

The current Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, said he loved Bishop Philip's "gracious humour which was a wonderful antidote to anyone who wanted to take themselves or the Church too seriously".

"When I came here, I immediately discovered the warmth of the affection in which he was held," he added.

"You can tell very quickly the atmosphere of a diocese and how much of it, in the case of Worcester, is owed to the generosity, graciousness and Godliness of the person I've been privileged to succeed.

"There is much grief and shock around at the moment, and with it, a great deal of thankfulness for the life of ministry of a fine Christian and pastoral bishop."

He said his sympathy went to the Bishop's wife Margaret, who had herself made a "huge contribution" to the diocese.

The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev John Oliver, said the Hereford diocese was "deeply shocked and saddened by the news".

"There were great rejoicings when the Goodriches decided to retire to Herefordshire and Bishop Philip has been very active in his retirement ministry," he added.

Philip Harold Goodrich was born in 1929, the son of a clergyman, and brought up in East Anglia.

He studied at St John's College, Cambridge, and trained for ordination at Cuddleston College, Oxford, being ordained deacon in 1954 and priested the following year.

In 1961, he moved to the Lincoln Diocese and served as a parish priest until 1968, when he moved to Bromley, Kent. He was made Suffragan Bishop of Tonbridge in 1973.

Appointed Bishop of Worcester in 1981, he was enthroned at Worcester Cathedral in May 1982. He also sat in the House of Lords.

During his ministry, Bishop Philip never shied away from difficult issues. He backed the ordination of women, spoke out against the "grotesque" size of Lottery jackpots, the culture of divorce, and lack of care for the elderly.

And he hit the headlines in September 1992, when he used the F-word to illustrate a point at a seminar of marriage experts. He later apologised.

Bishop Philip was also passionate about bell ringing, was chairman of the Children's Society and had particular concern for the Society of St Francis.

He walked around the diocese for the Worcester Cathedral appeal and often turned up unannounced as soon as he heard someone was sick or in trouble.

He retired as Bishop of Worcester in 1996.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughters Joanna, Philippa, Rosalind and Olivia, and grandchildren.

COMMUNITY leaders have also paid tribute to the former Bishop of Worcester and expressed their sympathy to his family.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who was MP for Worcester during Bishop Philip's time as head of the diocese, said he was "privileged to count him as a friend".

"He was quite simply an outstanding Bishop, an enormous friend of Worcestershire, who was loved not only in the church he served but throughout the whole community," said the MP.

"I'm desperately sad Margaret his wife hasn't had the privilege and pleasure of a long retirement with a truly wonderful human being. He was just such a nice man."

Whether he was clad in wellies and an anorak to take control of a dodgem car at Pitchcroft's bonfire night celebrations, cooking sausages by the lake at Hartlebury, or leading the conga through the castle's state rooms, Bishop Philip was always at the centre of the fun.

Sir Thomas Dunne, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said in his opinion he was "one of the greatest Bishops the diocese has had".

"He was the most wonderful, loveable man with a tremendous sense of humour who was a very great priest," he said.

"He adored the people and the countryside of Worcestershire and he was very progressive."

County councillor John Wardle, who was chairman of the old Hereford-Worcester County Council from 1993-7, said he had many fond memories of the Bishop, who would often pop into County Hall for lunch or a sherry, or even call at Coun Wardle's home.

"I want to express my appreciation of the extremely valuable aid he gave to me as leader of the council," he added.

"I remember visiting Hartlebury Castle when it got a bit cold and we lit a fire together. On another occasion he turned up at my home to thank me for a presentation we gave him for his retirement.

"He was a very good personal friend of mine and I loved him very much."

Speaking to the Evening News when news of his retirement broke, Bishop Philip said: "I've always tried to be a Bishop who was accessible.

"I wanted to make friends with people, and not just church people.

"With my hand on my heart, I can say it's been my first priority, to respond to people. I hope I'll be remembered as someone who was friendly."