PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC

DIOCESE OF HAMILTON

Established 1980

Bishop of Hamilton
Most Reverend Denis Browne DD

Patron Saint
Saint Peter Chanel

Coat of Arms
The crest of the Hamilton diocese contains a good deal of local history and interest.
The Bridge represents the well-known Hamilton traffic bridge, and matches the one which appeared on the coat of arms of Bishop Pompallier, who visited the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and King Country as far back as 1844.
A mere depicts the diocesan links with the Maori people; there were 5000 Maori Catholics in the area by 1846. A fluer de lis and shamrock recall the French and Irish priests who worked with Bishop Pompallier in the early days of the region.
A pukeko has been incorporated from the Hamilton City coat-of-arms, and the pine tree represents one of the largest industries of the region.
The crest is dominated by the cross, symbol of Jesus, and carries the motto, from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ.”