Diocese of Plymouth

DIOCESE OF PLYMOUTH (Dioecesis Plymuthensis)

Country : United Kingdom
Denomination : Roman Catholic

Established : 1850

Official blazon

(old) Barry wavy of eight argent and azure, on a saltire gules two keys in saltire wards in chief or; overall a pastoral staff in pale of the last.
(new) Barry wavy of fourteen azure and argent, a personal staff in pale or; overall on a saltire gules a key in bend sinister of the second surmounted of another in bend dexter of the third, the wards in chief.

Origin/meaning

The wavy bars represent water or the sea, and allude to the maritime situation of Plymouth, while the crosier or pastoral staff alludes to Saint Boniface, the heavenly Patron of the Diocese. It further signifies the episcopal nature of the arms. The old See of Exeter originally covered parts of the present diocese, and the two keys are taken from the Exeter diocesan arms.