The Bishop

THE EXPLANATION OF THE COAT OF ARMS

In accordance with Roman Catholic heraldic tradition, the Coat of Arms of a Bishop is normally composed of a shield, a golden processional cross, a green hat and a scroll with a motto. A coat of arms is more like a label for instant identification.

Blazonary Description:

The Green Hat and the Tassels: the cincture symbolizes readiness at all times for action, as in a battle, while the 12 tassels on both sides of the shield echo the 3 steps of ordination to the office of bishop: the diaconate, the priesthood and the bishopric.

The Shield: The shield encases symbols reflecting the family, geographical location, religious and historic meanings a bishop may hold.

The Golden Cross represents the staff of office as well as the call to be a shepherd. This runs behind the shield of the Coat of arms to the scroll.

The Scroll hosts the motto of the bishop as a banner.

Heraldic Description of Bishop Martin D.A Olorunmolu’s Coat of Arms.

The shield is divided into two main parts: the upper part with two sides and the lower part with 4 symbols.

The left hand side of the upper part has a blue background symbolizing the separate of the soul from worldly values and its ascent towards God. Therefore it represents the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whose Immaculate Conception the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja is dedicated. The Virgin Mary conceived and gave birth to the Word of God (Jesus) fully represented by the open Bible conspicuously occupying this side of the shield. The rays emanating from the open Bible (Holy Scriptures) symbolize pine Wisdom sought by the bishop (cf. his motto) for both himself and the entire Diocese. The Greek letters Alpha and Omega on the pages of the open Bible remind one that God should be the first and the last in all things.

The right side of the upper part of the shield has red background signifying the blood of the Lamb with the Sacrificial Lamb itself gutted. Sacrifice is basic to the salvific work of the Christ (Heb 7-10). The Bishop’s biblical studies climax on the Sacrifice of the Christ sacramentally celebrated in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic spirituality. For the African Christian the Sacrifice of Christ supersedes all traditional religious sacrifices.

The lower part of the shield has four symbols:

The dove calls to mind the fact that the Holy Spirit has brought the message (Word of God) and the effect (sacrifice) of salvation to Lokoja Dioceses over 50 years ago.

The thick blue ”pall” represent the Rivers Niger and Confluence of which Lokoja is situated.

The enflamed heart symbolizes the Sacred Heart of Jesus and calls to mind the home parish of the Bishop, where his Christian faith took root, was nurtured and bloomed, and where he eventually served as parish priest for several years.

The Blue Star is one of the strongest representations of Mary, the Mother of our Saviour. The Catholic Cathedral of Lokoja, the seat of the Bishop, is named after her Immaculate Conception.

The motto: Domine, Peto Sapientiam Tuam: ”Lord, I seek your Wisdom” (Wis. 9:4), captures the humble and prayerful way of seeking the grace and face of God by the Bishop, that God’s Wisdom may guide him in his apostolate.