As in ancient times and as it has continued to this day, the coat of arms has not only been an accompanying significant expression of office and identity in _both secular and ecclesiastical circles but also alludes to the unique ideal, the sense of direction and purpose of the person who occupies such an office. The coat of arms of the office of the Bishop is the official heraldic emblem that captures and expresses in colours, symbols and images the specificity and clarity of the vital programmes of the episcopacy of the bishop. Hence it is a vital functional instrument that will certainly underpin every diocesan discourse, vision and mission.
Most Rev. Mark Maigida Nzukwein’s coat of arms contains the following colours, symbols, images as well as his Motto are depicted.
There are three different but unique colours of great significance and meaning purporting the intent of the episcopacy of Msgr Nzukwein that would shape the future of the new Diocese. The first noticeable and dominant colour is green on the hat and the tassels, glaringly representing the natural features of the new Diocese that portents great hope of a new beginning of restoration, growth, renewal and spiritual fecundity.
The inner lining of the hat is red colour which also transverses and is noticeable around the cross, the shield as well as the edges of the scroll on which the motto is engraved, symbolizing the strong call to sacrifice and martyrdom. Martyrdom in Christianity is not a tragedy but a virile testament of faith that is backed by a fervent witness to Christ that is unrelenting, bold and incontrovertible. It implies dying to self and living for God and others. It underscores the magnitude of the burdens and challenges the bishop, priests, religious and laity of the new Diocese are called to shoulder for the sake of Christ and the progress of the new Diocese. The splashes of yellow and white colours around the coat of arms express the bond of collegiality and communion that exists between the local church and the universal Church; between the Bishop and the Pope.
Notably, the twelve tassels hanging on both sides of the shield make an unequivocal statement about the bishop’s office as a successor of the apostles. On this note, the Bishop is seen as a sentinel that guides the People of God on the path of history toward their salvation and renewal in Christ.
The different images and symbols within the shield represent the physical features of the new Diocese of Wukari located in Taraba State, popularly referred to as “the Nature’s Gift to the Nation” as well as its spiritual heritage. They are:
Imposing Mountains: As recognized standards of immensity and majesty, mountains hold an aura of mystery, ultimately representing God and his dwelling as firmly established. Mountains are both symbolically and literally places of refuge and protection against enemies (cf Gen 19:17; Josh 2:16). Theologically, mountains are also sacred places to encounter God in silence, in prayer and meditation. In the scriptures, Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-45).
Moses received the law on Mount Sinai (Exod 19). Jesus often withdrew to the mountain to pray (Mark 6:46) and it was on the mountain that he was transfigured and manifested his glory as the Son of the eternal Father (Luke 9:28-36).
Since the mountains around the Diocese are a symbol of humanity’s thirst and a quest for the divine encounter which alone brings lasting inner peace and tranquility, it is hoped that the People of God in the newly erected Wukari Diocese will always desire to be around the sacred mountain of the Eucharistic table where they will truly encounter Christ in his body and blood as a veritable source of spiritual nourishment of their relationship with God and others. In the words of the Psalmist, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord will always surround His people and fulfill their deepest hearts desires (Psalm 125:2).
Flowing (Running) Rivers: Unlike stagnant waters that represent a dead end, the rivers around the new Diocese – because of their flowing nature – represent life-giving qualities (cf. John 4:14; 7:38; Rev 7:17). By its nature, every river gives life to every living thing (man, animals and vegetation) that depends and derives strength from it (cf. Ps 1:3). Thus, the river represents the abundance of God’s blessings and benevolence (cf. Isaiah 66:12; Gen 13:10). Because the river flows, it stands as a means of purification, symbolically cleansing us from sin through Baptism. Thus, like the mountain, a river is also a place of divine encounter (cf. Ezek 1:1-3; Dan 10:4; Acts 16:13). Jesus was baptized at the River Jordan and there his divine Sonship was first confirmed (Mark 1:9-11). Its tranquil flow makes it an image of mystery and fascination. When turbulent, however, it represents trouble and chaos. We hope that the presence of the flowing rivers in the Diocese will always remind us of our baptism, which signifies and conveys the grace of a new beginning as God’s people.
Agrarian Landscape: The land represents a people’s heritage. It is their immediate contact with created nature as they dwell on it. Thus, it stands as a place of rest and settlement from wandering. People depend on the fertility of the land for their sustenance. An arid land symbolizes death; a fertile land – life. Thus, the richness of the soil around the new Diocese indicates the assurance of God’s providence and daily provision for his people. Thus, the rich land shall not want. This calls for gratitude and also a sense of responsibility towards the profitable use of the land and all the means of livelihood by all the inhabitants of Wukari Diocese. It is our fervent prayer that the
Word of God which was sown as a seed by generations of missionaries thus yielding the fruit of a new Diocese; a Word that is still sown even in our time in this rich land of ours, given to us by divine providence, shall bear the necessary fruits in full measure to the glory of God. With an open and loving heart, full of compassion and generosity, everyone will always have enough to eat in the new Diocese.
The Dove: The dove is a bird of sacrifice (cf. Gen. 15:9). Though peace is a gift from God, it always comes with a price. The dove symbolizes this fact; it represents peace as a sacrificial animal. The dove also stands for innocence, purity and simplicity as necessary ingredients for peace, unlike the serpent which is crafty and deceitful (cf Matt. 10:16; Gen. 3: 1-20). The dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit (cf. Matt. 3:16) as a principle of unity, love and peace within the Trinitarian family. Hence, the creation of the new Diocese of Wukari is a challenge for all its inhabitants to sheathe their swords, embrace the mission of peace and thus become ambassadors of peace and reconciliation for the spiritual growth, development and wellbeing of all.
The Horn: The horn was used variously in the bible (and even in some African cultures) as a symbol of power, as a vessel for conveying oil for anointing (cf. 1 Sam.
16:13); as a musical instrument (cf. 1 Chron. 15:28); and a medium for the announcement of the imminence of an important event (Num. 10:3, 8; Joel 2:15; Jer.
4:5). The horn gives an animal a regal look and provides an impressive defense mechanism, that makes it to be regarded as a symbol of power. So, the horn represents power or status (cf. Deut. 33:17). To cut off the horn is to make powerless and to lift up the horn is to empower (cf. Ps 75:10;92:10). For us Christians, God remains the source of our power and our security at all times. Cut off from him, we can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). Placed within the liturgical context, the horn is a vessel; it is a symbol for the consecration of a king, a priest or a prophet for special service. As a musical instrument, it is used for joyful celebration (in songs) of God’s blessings and favour upon his people. The erection of the new Diocese, the consecration and installation of a new bishop is an invitation for a blissful celebration that beckons on all to allow the old song of war and conflict to give way to a new song of forgiveness and reconciliation that gives hope to all. May the new song which proclaims God’s mysterious presence among us today in this historic celebration break into many more joyous songs as the years pass by. As a medium, the horn is an instrument of convocation that calls attention to an important message to be announced. In the context of Wukari Diocese, the gospel message resounds as a clarion call to truly love, forgive and reconcile with God and with one another as the surest path to peace. The sound of the horn invites all
within the Diocese to unite, listen and actively put into practice the gospel message. In other words, we may not only be hearers but doers of the Word of God (James 1: 22-26), which abides forever (Ps 119:89). It is in this sense that the horn becomes a visible symbol of radiance (Hab. 3:4), a lamp that enlightens (Ps 132:17) and ultimately portraying God as our “horn of salvation” (Ps 18:2).
Two fish: The Greek word for fish is ICHTHUS (yuç). It is a recognizable Christian symbol and an acronym for Christ with distinctive historical characteristics and meaning.
1= lesus
Jesus
x= Christos
Christ
0= Theou
God’s
ó= huios
Son &
5= Soter
Saviour
As a Eucharistic symbol, the fish was drawn on the ground by Christians to indicate where the Eucharistic meal was holding. It symbolizes Jesus who feeds his Church and all who turn to him in trust. This symbol is reminiscent of the miracle of the multiplication of bread where Jesus fed five (5) thousand men with two (2) fish and five
(5) loaves. Though insignificantly small, the two (2) fish and five (5) loaves of bread took care of a lot of people and there was even leftover (Lk. 9: 12-17). This miraculous act reminds us of divine providence for his people in Wukari Diocese and indeed the whole world.
Aligned and akin to this symbol are the bread and the chalice which are images that symbolize the Eucharist which is the fulcrum from which the Church draws life. It is the centre of worship where the Diocese revolves and receives nourishment. It also gives the assurance of the presence of Jesus Christ in the new Diocese to enhance, sustain and keep it.
The motto: Christus pax nostra which translates into English as ‘Christ our Peace’ is taken from Ephesians 2:14. It is carefully and prayerfully chosen and motivated by the obvious and grim reality of the damage caused by the different sheds of intra and intertribal and religious crises among the people of the new ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Wukari Diocese. This bold proclamation underscores the Person of Christ as the one who alone can destroy our hostilities, heal us of our hatred and acrimony, and mend our broken and strained relationship with one another. Through him, we can forge ahead on the new path of a meaningful relationship based on love, unity and peace. We are therefore called to focus on Christ who is the source of our peace; he is the one whose peace surpasses all human understanding (Phil 4:7).