Lawrence Welsh

LAWRENCE WELSH

Born : February 1, 1935
Deceased : January 13, 1999

Bishop of Spokane, 1978-1990

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

As common in US episcopal heraldry, the arms show the arms of the diocese impaled with the personal arms of the bishop.

The arms are gold with three black peaks. This symbolism is taken from the arms of the Diocese of Rapid City, which is situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota where the Bishop served as a priest before his appointment to the See of Spokane. On each of the “black hills” is a silver star. The stars are taken from a Welsh family arms (not related to the bishop) by which the Bishop honors the Irish heritage of his father, Lawrence Harold Welsh, Sr.

Above the three peaks is a red rose in honor of the Virgin Mary. The rose also represents St. Theresa of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and honors the norther Italian heritage of the new Bishop’s mother, Mary Teresa Fomengo Welsh.

The chief shows a red grill to signify St. Lawrence, his baptismal patron. According to tradition, St. Lawrence was martyred for the faith by being roasted alive on a grill by the Romans during the time of Christian persecution.

For his motto, Bishop Welsh has selected the phrase, “To Serve in Love,” which expresses his dedication to serve the People of God in the Diocese of Spokane in the true spirit of Christ, which is love.