Bishop Chau’s coat of arms: a story of faith, heritage and service

When Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau of Newark was appointed earlier this year, a special design was created to represent his faith, heritage and ministry: his episcopal coat of arms.

Every bishop receives a coat of arms, a centuries-old tradition in the Catholic Church. Far from being simply decorative, each element is chosen with meaning, telling a story about the bishop’s life and vocation.

For Bishop Chau, the shield is filled with symbols of his roots, his patron saint, and his mission of service.

Nicaragua and St. Peter

The main colors of the shield are blue and white, the colors of the Nicaraguan flag. Bishop Chau was born in Managua and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1984.

At the base of the shield are three black hills. These recall Nicaragua’s landscape of volcanoes and also point to St. Peter, whose name in Greek means “rock.” Bishop Chau’s baptismal name, Pedro (Peter), is reflected here. The black color also honors the bishop’s family name, Chau. It recalls the ancient Zhou dynasty of China, known for its bronze work, with the dark color echoing the look of bronze.

The Cross and the Fleur-de-lis

Rising from the hills is a blue cross, a symbol of faith and salvation. On the cross rests a white fleur-de-lis, long associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cross and lily together emphasize Christ’s strength and Mary’s presence at the foot of the Cross.

The fleur-de-lis also connects Bishop Chau’s ministry with two Church leaders who have shaped his path: Pope Leo XIV, who appointed him bishop, and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, under whose guidance he now serves. Both use the fleur-de-lis in their own coats of arms.

Water, Blessing and Oak Leaves

The top section of the shield, called the “chief,” is separated by a wavy line representing water. This recalls Nicaragua’s lakes and the waters of baptism.

In the center is a golden hand raised in blessing, symbolizing God’s blessing on Bishop Chau’s ministry. It also reflects his pastoral work with the Deaf community, where communication is expressed through the hands.

On either side are silver oak leaves. These come from the coat of arms of the German city of Bismarck, a nod to the bishop’s middle name, by which he is most often known.

Motto and Episcopal Symbols

Bishop Chau’s motto, written on a scroll beneath the shield, is “Dios Es Mi Fuerza” — “God is My Strength” — taken from the prophet Isaiah (49:5).

Above and behind the shield are the traditional signs of the bishop’s office: a gold episcopal cross, placed upright behind the shield, and the green galero, or wide-brimmed hat, with its 12 tassels on either side. These elements are centuries-old symbols of the bishop’s rank and ministry.

Every detail of Bishop Chau’s arms reflects his journey — from his Nicaraguan roots and Chinese family heritage, to his baptismal name, to his ministry in New Jersey.  Above all, it is a reminder of the words he chose as his motto: that all his life and service as bishop rest on one foundation — the strength of God.

The coat of arms was designed in June 2025 by Father Guy Selvester, a priest of the Diocese of Metuchen and an expert in ecclesiastical heraldry.

To view a graphic that explains more about Bishop Chau’s Coat of Arms, click HERE.

What Is a Bishop’s Coat of Arms?

For centuries, bishops have used coats of arms to symbolize their faith, history and ministry.

A coat of arms is a shield decorated with colors and symbols, each chosen for its meaning. While coats of arms began as designs for knights in battle, the Church adopted the practice to express a bishop’s spiritual mission rather than military might.

Common elements include:

• The shield with personal and spiritual symbols.
• A cross placed behind the shield, signifying episcopal authority.
• The galero, or wide-brimmed hat, with green cords and tassels that mark the rank of bishop.
• A motto, usually a phrase from Scripture, that expresses the bishop’s guiding belief.

Together, these elements serve as a “spiritual logo,” linking each bishop’s personal story with the wider mission of the Church.

The episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend Pedro Bismarck Chau, D.D., will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. You can watch a livestream of the Ordination Mass HERE.