Coat of Arms
Following his appointment as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Bishop Michael has created a new coat of arms that honours his personal heritage and the diocese he currently serves.
Bishop Michael's Coat of Arms
Bishop Michael Kennedy first adopted a coat of arms when he was installed as the 10th Bishop of Armidale. He used his arms alongside the arms of the Diocese of Armidale on one shield, a practice known as impalement. This visual representation signifies a bishop’s bond with his diocese and its people.
Following his appointment as Bishop to the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Bishop Michael created a new coat of arms honouring his personal heritage and current diocese.
The left-hand side of the shield represents the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle – the two sheaves of wheat represent agriculture, and the undulating blue band represents the Hunter River, both symbols of the Maitland area. The lighthouse issuing from a mural crown represents Nobby’s headland and the coast at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour.
Incorporated on the right side of the shield are Bishop Kennedy’s personal elements – a silver background with a red cross symbolises Saint Michael, Bishop Michael’s patron saint, and an acknowledgement of his roots in Wagga Wagga, two black helmets honour the Irish heritage of Bishop Kennedy’s family and a blue chief adorned with a gold fret represents a fisherman’s net, illustrating his vocational mission to be a ‘fisher of men’, evoking the mercy of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The motto “Euntes Docete” translates as “Go forth and teach”. It was the commission Jesus Christ gave to the Apostles before he ascended into Heaven. The motto forms an integral part of the life and ministry of a bishop and reflects Bishop Michael’s experience as a teacher.
The arms also include a bishop’s processional cross of Celtic design to reflect his Irish origins and the green galero (Roman hat) with six fiocchi (tassels) on each side to signify his office as bishop.
Bishop Kennedy’s personal coat of arms were designed by Richard d’Apice AM KCSG in consultation with Fr Guy Selvester. Artist Sandy Turnbull, a member of the Australian Heraldry Society, has rendered the coats of arms.
