Edward Peter Cullen

EDWARD PETER CULLEN

Born : March 15, 1933
Deceased :

Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, 1994-1998
Bishop of Allentown, 1998-2009

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.

For his personal arms Bishop Cullen adopted a silver chevron on a red field, taken from the arms of a (non-related) Cullen family. Above the chevron, to the upper left is a golden barb of wheat. This Eucharistic symbol is taken from a (non related) Leahy family arms, and by using these main points Bishop Cullen honors his parents Edward Peter and Julia Catherine (Leahy) Cullen.

The silver star is taken from the arms of tile Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Below the chevron are the crossed silver and gold keys of St. Peter, to honor the Bishop's second baptismal patron and which also symbolically expresses the Bishop's dedication and fidelity to the See of Peter and to the Most Holy Father,

For his motto Bishop Cullen has chosen the three words "CHRIST CHURCH - COMPASSION." Understanding historically that first came Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then came the Church that he founded and that Church was founded on Christ's Love and Compassion for all.