Bishop Holland's Consecration

'New link with the Apostles'
`C.H.' Correspondent,
Portsmouth
IN a ceremony which the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop O'Hara, said linked the present day with the time of the apostles, Mgr. Thomas Holland, D.S.C., was on Wednesday consecrated titular bishop of F,tenna and coadjutor of the dio-...ese of Portsmouth.
He becomes coadjutor and assistant to 80-year-old Archbishop John H. King, who from being a parish priest at Winchester has over the years assumed more and more responsibility for the affairs of the diocese and who is widely known and loved and is held in high regard by Catholics and nonCatholics.
It was the veteran archbishop who today consecrated his coadjutor, assisted by Bishop Healey of Gibraltar—Mgr. Holland's confessor at Valladolid—and Bishop Dwyer of Leeds.
The ceremony fittingly took place in St. John's Cathedral, Portsmouth—fittingly because the new bishop was a naval chaplain during the war and won the D.S.C. for his work during the evacuation from Dunkirk.
SISTERS
Among the bishops from various dioceses of England, the abbots, the senior chaplains of the services, the local dignitaries, and priests of the diocese of Portsmouth were Bishop Holland's two sisters, both nuns—one Mother Abbess of the Poor Clares at Ellesmere, Chester. The consular and diplomatic corps were also represented.
In his sermon the Apostolic Delegate first referred to his own Sense of loss. "For roe it is a valedictory occasion," Archbishop O'Hara said. "He has been closely associated with me in the work of the apostolic delegation for four years. How can 1 express how much we of the delegation will miss his example of the exemplary priest? . . . .
"I never heard him say an uncharitable word about anyone." the archbishop added. "It is with deep emotion that I surrender him to you."
Some time ago Archbishop King, who had governed the important Portsmouth diocese with much wisdom and kindness for a generation, had indicated that he needed the help of an assistant. The request was passed to Rome and the Holy Father's choice had fallen on Mgr. Holland.
"Today. n. w link has been forged in the chain of apostolic succession which has extended over the centuries," said Archbishop O'Hara.
They could be sure that, if the necessary documents had not perished in the midst of the
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CONSECRATION OF BISHOP HOLLAND
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tragedies and vicissiudes of history, it could be shown that Bishop Holland could trace his succession back through the years -perhaps to St. Thomas, whose feast it was that day, or to St. James or even to St. Paul.
Their new bishop came to them not only as a very learned priest but a priest with a deep knowledge of the sacred sciences and with a record of service and hard work for souls. During eight years with the Catholic Missionary Society he wore himself out in many parts of the country giving missions and going from house to house, front family to family, seeking out the lost sheep and bringing them back to the fold.
LUNCHEON
The new bishop was guest of honour at a luncheon after the consecration Among those present were the Ambassador to South Vietnam and his wife and the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, Dr, John Phillips.
It was announced that Catholics in the Royal Navy were presenting the bishop with a personal chalice.
Bishop Holland will reside at Portsmouth Cathedral, while Archbishop King will continue to live at Winchester.
At the consecration Cardinal Godfrey was represented by Bishop Craven, and six diocesan bishops were present from England and Wales: Archbishop Heenan of Liverpool, Bishop Wall of Brentwood, Bishop Rudderham of Clifton, Bishop Petit of Mencvia, Bishop Parker of Northampton, and Bishop Restieaux of Plymouth.