Diocesan News11 Jul 11

Cathedrals receive Diocesan Arms (Down & Dromore)

Honorary Lay Secretary to the Down and Dromore Synod, Mr Fred Rankin, has presented framed copies of the reconfirmed Arms of the Diocese of Down and Dromore to the Deans of both Diocesan Cathedrals.

Dean Hull and Dean Lowry gratefully accepted the high quality digital images which will be placed in Down Cathedral and Dromore Cathedral respectively. The original Arms, done by hand on vellum, will be kept in a secure location.

The heraldry is magnificently depicted and, in the language of the Chief Herald of Ireland, described thus:

"Quarterly 1st and 4th for Down Azure two keys in saltire the wards upward Or suppressed by a lamb passant Argent 2nd and 3rd for Dromore Argent two keys in saltire the wards upward Gules suppressed by an open book Proper between in chief and in base two crosses patee fitchee Azure the whole depited in the margin hereof".

Dr Susan Hood of the RCB Library was an advisor to the diocese throughout the process and in gratitude for her contribution, she was presented with a King James Bible.

Background
The Diocesan Office was contacted by the genealogical office in Dublin about a petition to the Chief Herald from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor. This indicated that his diocese had been using the undifferentiated arms of Down and he wished a confirmation of these to be considered. The Church of Ireland Dioceses of Connor and Down and Dromore had an interest in the matter as both these dioceses were successors to the former united Dioceses of Down, and Connor and Dromore.

After discussion between Down and Dromore Council and experts from the Representative Church Body, the Council agreed that the Arms for the Diocese should be reconfirmed with the office of the Herald in Dublin in time for the celebration in 2011 of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible and the 900th anniversary of the Synod of Rathbreasil.