Michael Robert Kennedy
MICHAEL ROBERT KENNEDY
Born : May 13, 1968
Deceased :
Bishop of Armidale, 2011-present
Official blazon
The diocesan arms impaled with the personal arms: Argent, a cross botonne between two helms sable, a chief azure fretty Or.
Origin/meaning
The Bishop’s personal arms are impaled with the arms of the diocese as his arms of office as Bishop of Armidale. The arms are shown with a Celtic processional cross to reflect his families Irish origins and the green galero (Roman hat) with six fiocci (tassles) on each side which are proper to a bishop.
The two black helmets are taken from the Kennedy family arms. The cross of Saint Michael acknowledges the patron saint of the bishop and also acknowledges the home Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Saint Michael being the patron of the diocesan Cathedral of Wagga Wagga.
The blue chief with a gold fret (suggesting a fisherman’s net) symbolises the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ the ‘fisher of men’. The blue colour also acknowledges the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The motto ‘Euntes Docete’ (Go out and teach) was the commission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles before he ascended into heaven. This motto sums up the vocation of the bishop as a successor of the Apostles, and also reflects his past experience as a teacher.