Auxiliary Bishop Coat of Arms
Rt. Rev. Dr. Ponniah Joseph
Rt. Rev. Dr. Ponniah Joseph
The coat of arms of the auxiliary Bishop of
Trincomalee -Batticaloa embodies the mysticism that motivates his
mission. the crest is divided into three sections.
The topmost section is in green symbolising the fertility of the Gospel that has to be preached by the breadth of the diocese. The announcement of the Good News is made in the name of the Triune God symbolised by the Conch shells that are found in abundance on the seashores of the diocese. the conch shell is a local symbol of announcing good news.
The crest is divided in the centre by the famous historical bridge of Batticaloa because a Bishop is called to be a bridge-builder, PONTIFEX (pontem facere) between the different peoples and religions of our country.
The bottom section is in blue symbolising the filial devotion the Bishop elect has for the Virgin Mother of whom was born the son of God Jesus Christ. He is symbolized as in ancient Christian art by the symbol of the fish (ICTUS) here the symbol is localised by the singing fish, the most important symbol of Batticaloa. The sevenfold sacramental song of Jesus is the means by which humanity savours the fragrance of Jesus .This is Symbolised by the seven musical bubbles that emanate from the joyful mouth of the singing fish.
The whole coat of Arms is then expressed in the motto the Bishop elect has chosen (in the fragrance of the gentleness of Christ) - IN ODOREM SUAVITATIS CHRISTI.
Rev. Fr.Anselm De Croos.
The topmost section is in green symbolising the fertility of the Gospel that has to be preached by the breadth of the diocese. The announcement of the Good News is made in the name of the Triune God symbolised by the Conch shells that are found in abundance on the seashores of the diocese. the conch shell is a local symbol of announcing good news.
The crest is divided in the centre by the famous historical bridge of Batticaloa because a Bishop is called to be a bridge-builder, PONTIFEX (pontem facere) between the different peoples and religions of our country.
The bottom section is in blue symbolising the filial devotion the Bishop elect has for the Virgin Mother of whom was born the son of God Jesus Christ. He is symbolized as in ancient Christian art by the symbol of the fish (ICTUS) here the symbol is localised by the singing fish, the most important symbol of Batticaloa. The sevenfold sacramental song of Jesus is the means by which humanity savours the fragrance of Jesus .This is Symbolised by the seven musical bubbles that emanate from the joyful mouth of the singing fish.
The whole coat of Arms is then expressed in the motto the Bishop elect has chosen (in the fragrance of the gentleness of Christ) - IN ODOREM SUAVITATIS CHRISTI.
Rev. Fr.Anselm De Croos.
