Tradition focus of new Catholic Diocese logo

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has unveiled its new logo, which is rooted in history and Catholic tradition.

Bishop David Bonnar said the diocese's new look represents a recovery of its historical coat of arms, with updated rendering and styling that will allow the Catholic and wider community to embrace the traditional and geographical meaning of its elements.

Officials said by heraldic tradition, each diocese has a coat of arms that reflects both the universal church and the local diocesan church.

The coat of arms of the Diocese of Youngstown is composed on a field of green, a traditional color denoting hope. On the green field is a wavy bar, called a "fess," to represent the Mahoning River that flows through the city. In Christianity, water is a primary symbol of baptismal faith, Bonnar said.

Upon the fess are two green arrowheads to honor the Native American peoples that first inhabited the area that is now Youngstown, as well as a cross pommett. The green cross pommett is taken from the arms of the Diocese of Cleveland, from which the Diocese of Youngstown was carved in 1943, symbolizing the faith passed on from one community to another and from generation to generation.

The golden dove is in honor of the patron of its cathedral, St. Columba (whose name is translated as dove), and is also taken from the coat of arms of Pope Pius XII, who created the diocese in 1943. The golden anvil symbolizes the industrial landscape that has dominated much of northeastern Ohio.

"I'm excited that a collaborative and extensive process has given us a new logo. It is fitting that we have a brand that is rooted in our history, ensuring continuity to our rich past as we forge into the future," Bonnar said.

Bonnar's own coat of arms, following Catholic tradition, itself includes the coat of arms of the Diocese of Youngstown on the left side and his own personal coat of arms on the right.

The diocese's updated branding was completed in partnership with 898 Marketing, which provided artistic and consultation services.