'Dismay' at closure of library

T.H.' Reporter
"GREAT dismay" is expressed by the Hon. Mrs. Bower, a member of the Council controlling the Catholic Central Library, in London, at the decision to close the Library, which became effective yesterday, New Year's Day. As announced already in THE CATHOLIC HERALD, the Chairman, Secretary and Librarian have all resigned their posts. Mrs. Bower is now approaching the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster to ask him to interest himself in the continuance of the Library. The Legion of Mary have been asked to consider taking over the valuable books of the Library, and keeping them available for reference purposes. It is felt that these books, numbering 16,000, and many of them out of print, should not fall into the hands of a private owner. "1 realise," says Mrs. Bower, "that the ever increasing costs of heating, lighting, etc., and proper salaries, can no longer be met from present library sources, nor can subscriptions be raised further. Nevertheless I am convinced that a way can and must be found to carry it on on a voluntary or partly paid basis." She appeals for members, who number over 600, and other friends of the Library, who are interested in the work being continued, to communicate with her at 3 OakhiII Road, London, S.W.15.
THE POPE CONSECRATES
8 BISHOPS
V AST Saturday, the feast of St. " John the Apostle, the Pope consecrated four archbishops and four bishops in St. Peter's. One of the new archbishops was Cardinal Tardini, Vatican Secretary of State. The other archbishops were: Archbishop Angelo Dell'Acqua. substitute secretary of state; Archbishop Carlo Grano. Apostolic Nuncio to Italy; and Archbishop Giuseppe Ferretto. assessor of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation.
The four bishops were: Bishop Albino Luciani of Vittorio Veneto, italy; Bishop Charles Msakila of Karema, Tanganyika; Bishop Mario C.asariego. auxiliary of Guatemala City; and Bishop Joseph Floribert Cornelis, Vicar Apostolic of Katanga. Belgian Congo. A moving picture of the universal nature of the Church was seen when the eight prelates drank from the same chalice as the Pope at the Communion of the Mass of Concelebration.
The co-consecrators at the ceremony were Bishop Bortignon. 0.F.M.Cap., of Padua and Bishop Muccin of Feltre and Belluno.
Two diplomats were missing
When the diplomats accredited to the Holy See paid their traditional call on the Pope last Friday to extend their good wishes lot Christmas and the New Year. there were two conspicuous absences the ambassador of the Polish Government in exile, M. Casimir Pape. and the Lithuanian Minister in exile, M. Stanislaus Girdvatnis Both were accredited to the Hols See before the beginning of the last war.
Cardinal honoured
Cardinal Spellman. Archbishor of New York. has been awarde, the Jordanian Medal of the Star by King Hussein of Jordan for "his humanitarian activities in present ing relief. in the name of the Holy See. to Palestine and Arab refugees in Jordan."