Scottish Catholic Observer

Mgr Philip Egan, vicar general of Shrewsbury Diocese, has been named as the eighth Bishop of Portsmouth, in succession to Bishop Crispian Hollis who is retiring.

The Holy Father made the appointed today.

Commenting on his new role, Bishop-designate Egan (above) said it was with both trepidation and hope he approached his new post.

“It is with trepidation and yet with profound trust in the loving mercy of the Sacred Heart of Christ, that I accept the Holy Father’s appointment as the new Bishop of Portsmouth, in succession to dear Bishop Crispian,” he said. “I look forward with joy to working with my fellow priests and with all who minister in parishes, schools and other contexts, caring for the people of God. May we all together be in the closest communion of heart and mind with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and faithful to his call to New Evangelisation.”

Prayers and Episcopal ordination

The bishop- designate asked for the prayers of his new flock ahead of his Episcopal ordination at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth on Monday 24 September.

“The ministry of the Bishop, as the chief shepherd, priest and teacher of the flock entrusted to him, involves carrying the Lord’s Cross in a particular way,” he said. “So as I begin this ministry and look to the years ahead, I sincerely ask you for your prayers, together with those of our brothers and sisters in the other Christian communities and indeed of every person of faith and goodwill. May Mary, Queen conceived without original sin, and St. Edmund of Abingdon, obtain for us a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that all may come to know, serve and love Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Hollis

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Crispian Hollis said Bishop- designate Egan was a worthy successor.

“I warmly welcome the appointment by the Holy See of Mgr Philip Egan to be my successor in the Portsmouth diocese and becoming its eighth bishop,” he said “Mgr Philip brings a wide experience of the life of the Church to this new post. He is a theologian and has been dean of studies at St Mary’s College, Oscott; he has been until now an able administrator in the diocese of Shrewsbury, serving as Vicar General, as well as a being an excellent parish priest in the bread and butter world of parochial ministry.”

Bishop Hollis also said his successor was taking over at an important time in the diocese’s history but he was sure he was up to the challenge.

“There is a pastoral plan for the diocese—Go out and Bear Fruit—which is in process of implementation and because of the launching the Living Our Faith appeal, there is nearly £13 million available for that implementation of the pastoral plan, thus setting up the diocese for its future in the 21st century,” Bishop Hollis said. “Mgr Philip brings his undoubted pastoral and administrative skills to further the progress that the diocese has made in recent years and the implementation of the Pastoral Plan, and his appointment is just what the diocese needs. He will be made very welcome by the clergy and people of the diocese and everyone is looking forward to working with him in the proclaiming and living of the Gospel.”

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