Cardinal-designate Fernandez’s heraldry

Nov 11, 2016

The armorial bearings of Cardinal- delegate Anthony Soter Fernandez consist of a shield with a double-traversed cross palewise behind it and surmounted by a cardinal’s red hat with 15 tassels on either side. The shield displays a fish, a chevron, a cross between four squares, all within a circle below which is a branch of an olive tree.

Red Hat and 15 Tasselsa

These symbols are traditionally assigned to a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

Fish

The name SOTER means “saviour” in Greek. As an acrostic, the Greek word for FISH yields the initial letters of the Greek words which read “Jesus Christ Son of God, Saviour” when translated. The fish symbolises the Saviour, but it may also symbolise the faithful, who must become like their Redeemer, Christ Jesus. This ancient symbol, which represents the Cardinal-designate Soter Fernandez in his Coat of Arms, has so much significance that it cannot but serve him as a sign of faith, hope, inspiration and identification.

Chevron

The name itself is derived directly from the French, “chevron”, i.e. a rafter of a roof. It represents the ecclesiastical institution, as well as direction and guidance.

Cross In Circle

A very early design representing salvific justice. In the angles formed by the beams of the cross are four squares symbolizing the four Gospels. The whole is surrounded by a circle (eternity). The cross in the circle represents the Divine Saviour whose sacrificial death on the cross the Gospels tell. The whole symbol represents the Justice (see Motto) which proceeds from Christ’s death for all mankind and his resurrection, making him the universal Saviour, winning for all men the power to become sons of God (Jn. L 12).

Olive Branch

Eternal peace.

The Blazon of the  Arms of Cardinal designate Anthony Soter Fernandez

Arms

Gules, a chevron or between a fish naiant argent and a cross muune between four square tablets all within an annulet of the second, in the middle base an olive branch proper.

Motto

Keadilan dan Keamanan (Justice and Peace).

Designed by Gerry Reutens