Looking forward in blessed hope

On his appointment as Bishop of Middlesbrough, Bishop Drainey applied to the College of Heralds for a grant of arms.

After consultation with the relevant parties under Letters Patent the arms granted consist of a green Episcopal hat with six tassels on either side. Behind the shield is the Cross of St Cuthbert which recalls Bishop Drainey’s role as President of Ushaw before he became our Bishop. As you look at the shield, the yellow cross of St Alban recalls the seminary in Spain where he trained for the priesthood and its patron saint; the red rose of Lancashire symbolises the Diocese of Salford from where he came; the white rose of Yorkshire to show he is now part of us; the roebucks are heraldic representation to the Bishop’s mother’s family name, and the lions on the cross of St Alban are the Lions Rampant of the Borough of Middlesbrough. The motto is taken from the prayer which immediately follows the Lord’s Prayer in the Rite of Mass in Latin, and can be translated as ‘Looking forward in blessed hope’.

The Bishop’s Coat of Arms is now available and copies have been sent to schools and parishes in the Diocese. Any Diocesan organisation needing details for their notepaper and publicity information should contact Judy Coates or Jim Whiston at the Curial Office – (01642) 850505.