TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of a retired Bishop. 

John Cunningham, Bishop Emeritus of Galloway Diocese, passed away on Wednesday afternoon.

Galloway Diocese announced the news on social media. They wrote: "Bishop John died peacefully at his home with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Greenock. May he rest in peace."

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The 83-year-old was born in Paisley and was ordained priest in the town in 1961.

Galloway Diocese revealed that Bishop Cunningham retired from Episcopal ministry in 2014 and was "wonderfully cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor since his retirement from active ministry".

More than 270 people have paid tribute online. 

One person said: "Rest in peace my lord, it was a great privilege to be at Lourdes with you."

Another added: "RIP Bishop. You were a privilege to look after and I'll miss our football chats. You were a lovely man. God bless and RIP."

Someone else wrote: "A good and holy man who served God and his people of Paisley Diocese and Galloway Diocese with faithfulness. May he rest in peace. Thinking of his family and friends as a son of St Mary's, Paisley where he and his two brothers offered their lives to God."