10/04/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐:
A Primer on the Episcopal Coat of Arms of
His Excellency, Most Rev. Gerardo Fortich S**o Jr., D.D. | 8th Bishop of Tagbilaran
An episcopal coat of arms is an insignia coming from centuries of tradition called heraldry that depicts the identity of a bishop in his ministry to the Church. Through the symbols of the coat of arms of our new bishop, we are called to learn his inspirations in life and his calling to serve as a shepherd to his flock here in the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
The personal coat of arms of Bishop-elect S**o is found in the sinister (right of viewer) side while the coat of arms of the Diocese of Tagbilaran is found in the dexter (left of viewer) side of the emblem. Under the coat of arms is the Bishopโs motto, "๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐" or โTake courage, it is Iโ from Matthew 14:27, Jesusโ remarks to His disciples coming to the boat where they were on while walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
Special thanks to Bro. Kendrick Ivan Panganiban of DOMVS AVREA Ecclesiastical Designs and Lay-Secretary of the ACSP - Association of Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the Philippines for designing the Bishopโs episcopal coat of arms.