Pope Benedict XVI has named Mgr Philip Egan to be the next bishop of Portsmouth.

Mgr Egan, 56, is the vicar-general of the Diocese of Shrewsbury and succeeds Bishop Crispian Hollis, who was in post for 25 years.

The bishop-elect is a former assistant chaplain at the University of Cambridge and Dean of Studies at St Mary's College, Oscott.

He is keen to promote the New Evangelisation and the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Davies, also appointed him Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation.

Bishop-elect Egan said of his appointment: "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."

Mgr Egan has written a book "Philosophy and Catholic Theology: A Primer" and has publicly defended Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae, the document that banned artificial contraception, describing it as infallible teaching.

Above: Bishop-elect Egan. Photo: CBCEW