New Ecclesiastical Arms in the U.S.

Okay, whew!  Having finished our multi-part review of heraldry in the city of Florence, Italy (which I certainly hope that you have enjoyed.  I know I had a great time seeing all of it!), we now return to our usual miscellany of heraldic odds and ends and occasional neat stuff.

For today, we have a recent news story about the coat of arms of Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  This short article (on-line at http://newsok.com/at-a-glance/article/3540292) takes most of its information from the website of the Archdiocese, which has an entire page on the Archbishop's arms.  That page can be found at: http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/coakleycoatofarms.htm

I have to admit, I really like the arms of the Archdiocese (on the dexter, or left side as you look at the shield above).  They are entirely appropriate to both the church and the local area, while remaining clean and simple and readily identifiable.  And the Archbishop's personal arms (on the sinister, or right side as you look at it) are only slightly more complex.  It's such a pleasure to see a modern heraldic composition that attempts to adhere to the principles of good heraldic design.