Susan Bell

SUSAN JENNIFER ANNE BELL

Born : 1966
Deceased :

Bishop of Niagara, 2018-present

Official blazon

(en) Per pale Azure and Gules a tiger rampant Or striped Sable embellished Argent holding a set of sanctus bells Or, on a chief Argent a closed book proper bound Azure embellished Or between two Canterbury crosses Gules jewelled Azure

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 20, 2019.

The white, blue and red allude to the Royal Union Flag and thus to Bishop Bell’s Loyalist heritage. The tiger is her favourite animal, and is one of the supporters of the arms of her birthplace of Hamilton, Ontario. The sanctus bells symbolize the Eucharist and refer to her surname; the four in the set indicate her children.

The Canterbury cross is an emblem associated with the Anglican Church, and is used by Bishop Bell as her pectoral cross. The book refers to her academic studies and to her work as a school chaplain. Its decorated binding is based on early editions of the works of George Herbert (1593-1633), the priest and poet who was the subject of Bishop Bell’s doctoral dissertation.

The motto is taken from Mark 16:15, in which Jesus commissions his disciples to “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” This is an important aspect of Bishop Bell’s ministry and also alludes to her previous role as Canon Missioner of the Diocese of Toronto.

The bishop generally uses her arms imapled with the arms of the diocese: