The Bishop's Coat of Arms

Bishop's Coat of Arms.

Bishop Anthony’s shield is halved, with the arms of the Diocese of Parramatta on the left (the rivers and mountains of Western Sydney with the Chi-Rho symbol of Christ's Holy Name and the crown symbol of Christ’s Kingship).

On the right is the bishop's personal insignia of a fish or dolphin, taken from the arms of St John Fisher, the great English scholar, bishop and martyr, and recalling that the apostles and their successors are called by Christ to be 'fishers of men'. Like the Chi-Rho the fish is an ancient symbol of Christ and is shown here rising out of the waters of baptism and of death to new life.

Bishop Anthony's arms are superimposed upon the Dominican shield, indicating the bishop's background as a member of the Order of Friars Preachers: the black and
white truth of Christ is there told in a flowering cross.

Above the shields is another cross: that of the Order of Malta of which the bishop is a chaplain.

The hat is the traditional green hat of bishops that appears on all episcopal crests. (Thanks to Mr Christopher Wolter.)

Motto

Bishop Anthony’s motto ‘Veritatem facientes in caritate’ is from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (4:15) which is read in the Mass of Installation of a Bishop and translated “Speaking the truth in love” (NRSV).

In choosing this motto Bishop Anthony echoes the Dominican motto “Veritas” (Truth) andexpresses the commitment of all Christians to speak honestly and compassionately to our world.