Reginald Michael Cawcutt

REGINALD MICHAEL CAWCUTT

Born : October 25, 1938
Deceased :

Auxiliary Bishop of Cape Town, 1992-2002; Titular Bishop of Egabro.

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The horse in chief acknowledges Bishop Cawcutt’s roots in a horse racing family.

The silver background symbolises the purity brought into the lives of the faithful by Christ, his apostles and their successors the bishops, acting as vessels of divine grace. Both the anchor and the sailing ship acknowledge that Bishop Cawcutt has spent most of his priestly life serving as a naval chaplain. The ship is a symbol of the Church, while the wind filled sail is a symbol of the power of Christ and this is confirmed by the Greek chi-rho symbol of Christ emblazoned on the mainsail - without whom we too would drift aimlessly through life. This image is expressed also in the bishop’s motto: Nisi Dominus in Vanum… “without the Lord (we labour) in vain” (the opening words of Psalm 126).

The cross on the top sail symbolises the sufferings which followers of Christ endure in life, while the other sails symbolise the help, advice, support and encouragement required from fellow pilgrims on the journey through life. The stock of the anchor replaces the traditional cross behind the shield which, together with the green hat and its twelve tassels indicates the rank of bishop.