The Archbishop's Coat of Arms & Motto
THE COAT OF ARMS of the Archbishop of Kuching
INTRODUCTION
The standard Coat of Arms of a Metropolitan Archbishop comprises a wide brimmed green hat
called galero, with 10 tassel on each side, a two-barred processional cross, a shield, a palium
and a motto scroll.
The icons on the shield depend on each archbishop and these have personal meanings for
him. The motto focuses on his ministry as a shepherd for the flock entrusted to him.
GALERO WITH TASSELS
This is the symbol of the office of an Archishop. I have chosen a galero with a "figure-of-eight"
knot. It is one of the basic knots that I have learnt from St. Joseph's School 9th Kuching
Company Scouts.
My Venture Scout Unit has taught me to be courageous, resourceful, to embroce values of
sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, cooperation and teamwork, with the aim of making the
world a better place for all people: "Do a good turn daily", "Always leave a place better than
you found it".
TWO-BARRED PROCESSIONAL CROSS
This is placed behind the shield. It relates to the processional cross and the jurisdiction it
symbolises. Besides being just a symbol of Chrstiannity, the cross is to honour and remember
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I have chosen the Cross with the five wounds of the crucified Christ on the cross- head, heart,
hands and feet. "By His holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard and protect us.
Amen."
SHIELD WITH MOTTO SCROLL
The shield forms the central part of the amorial bearings. It symbolises the need to rely always
on the armour of God, carrying the shield of faith so that it can be used to put out the burning
arrows of the evil one.
The badge profile is that of St. Joseph's School, where I studied for 13 years (1970-1982).
The seed of my Catholic faith was planted in Primary One and eventually, I was baptised while
in Form 4. The shield’s green profile represents my gratitude to the La Salle Brothers and
teachers who have educated me, and especially those who have instructed me in the Catholic
Faith.
CHALICE
The Chalice is composed using the Chinese character 聖 (Holy) symbolising the Holy Eucharist
as "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Catechism of the Catholic Church n.1324).
This also represents my cultural root.
BARUK
The baruk is a traditional Bidayuh community house, where the whole village gathers to meet,
discuss and worship. The local Catholic Church has used the baruk design in tabernacles and
Church buildings as it symbolises Vatican Council II's concept of Church as a community of
Faith.
The baruk icon represents the indigenous communities in the Archdiocese of Kuching.
This baruk design is based on the Tabernacle in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching, with seven
steps representing the Seven Sacraments.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral has been very central to my life and ministry. I was baptised, confirmed,
received my First Communion and served as an Altar Server there. Eventually, I was ordained
and have served for the past five years as Parish Priest of the Cathedral.
JUG WITH WATER
This symbolises the foot washing and ministry of Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The water inside the jug
also stands for the waters of Baptism through which we become children of God.
BIBLE WITH TEXT 1 PETER 5:1-11
The scriptural text are the words of the apostle Peter, who is my Patron Saint. In these verses,
he speaks to me as a brother bishop and also to those who will be ministering with me.
In all that we do, we offer with humble and grateful heart to our God, “to Him be the glory and
power forever and ever”.
BACKGROUND COLOURS
Yellow, red & black: These are the colours on the State Flag. Together with the baruk, these
represent the local Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Kuching, rooted in the cultures and
in the State of Sarawak. "Negeriku, Tanah Airku Sarawak".
Yellow & white: These are Vatican colours and they represent my loyalty to the Holy Father,
who has appointed me as Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Kuching.
PALLIUM
A circular strip of white wool, about two and one-half inches wide from which two short bands,
made of the same material, hang down over the chest and the back, ending with black silk
pendants, is decorated with six crosses of black taffeta, four placed in the circle and the
two others in the hanging bands.
The four crosses symbolise the cardinal virtues of justice, fortitude, tempererance and
prudence. The two hanging bands symbolise the active life of Martha and contemplative one of
Mary. It is displayed below the shield.
Besides indicating a superior episcopal authority and dignity, it is also a symbol of communion
with the Church. Placed on the shoulders of the prelate, it symbolises the profound humility of
the saviour and the erring sheep that the Good Shepherd places on his shoulders to bring back
to the flock.
MOTTO
The Motto is my vision statement. "Pastor Cordis Christi" (in Latin) is taken from Jeremiah 3:15,
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart”. It is a calling to respond to the Lord to feed his
sheep (John 2 1:15-17) and to become a “shepherd of the heart of Christ”.
Most Rev. Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng
Archbishop of Kuching