Chicagoland

Bishop Robert Fedek's coat of arms

By Chicago Catholic staff
Thursday, March 6, 2025

Bishop Fedek’s coat of arms represents both his background and his aspirations and hopes as he begins his episcopal ministry as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The colors on his shield represent his Polish background (red and white) and his commitment to ministry in the United States (with the addition of blue). His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who has accompanied him across his vocational journey, is symbolized by the color blue and the fleurs-de-lis, seen in the episcopal cross above and below the shield.

In tribute to Holy Name Cathedral, the upper third of the shield is separated from the lower part by a line that takes the form of the Gothic arches of Holy Name. The monogram IHS, the Holy Name of Jesus, identifies his connection with the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as with the cathedral.

A boat symbolizes the church, in particular, the church going forth today with the zeal of renewal and revitalization, as modern missionaries spreading both the word of God and the love for it in today’s world. With wind clearly behind the boat’s sail, the idea of determined movement further symbolizes this zeal.

Finally, the motto "Duc in altum" (“Put out into the deep”) from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5, verse 4, expresses Bishop Fedek’s embrace of the task of evangelization to proclaim the Gospel.

Topics:

  • auxiliary bishops

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