Arms of the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh

[Marcus Karlsson]

The Capital of and indeed the whole Country of Cambodia dosn't hold that many Catholics (or Christians of any sort) so there are no Dioceses or Archdioceses in the Country. The Capital Phnom Penh is the seat of a Apostolic Vicariate (an Ecclesiastical Unit created when there are not resources to have a Diocese).

The present Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh is the Frenchman Olivier Michel Marie Schmitthaeusler, MEP (born in Strasbourg in 1970) and made coadjutor to the Apostolic Vicar and Titular Bishop of Catabum Castra (in order to place a Apostolic Vicar in par with Bishops, He is given a Titular Bishopric) in 2009, taking over the Apostolic Vicariate in 2010. From the Wikimedia commons the Arms of Bishop Schmitthaeusler:

[Chris Green]

It would be interesting to know the blazon. What is the tree? What are the eight red charges - Cambodian flowers? The significance of the chief would be of interest too.

PS: The spelling is usually Phnom Penh.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Didn't find any blason. But I guess the Tree is a Palm and the Flowers might be Lotuses. The Waves in the Chief probably alludes to the Rivers Mekong, Tonlé Sap and Bassac that unites at Phenom Penh.

PS changed the spelling, thanks for pointing it out Chris.

[Marcus Karlsson]

So far the Apostolic Vicariate has had one Cambodian as its head Joseph Chhmar Salas appointed Coadjutor and Titular Bishop of Sigus 6 april 1975 (ordained Bishop 14 April 1975). He succeded to the Apostolic Vicariate 30 April 1976. Just a Year later in September 1977 he died, following ill treatment by the Khmer Rouge. Then the Apostolic Vicariate was Sede vacante until 1992.

[Jeremy Kudlick]

The three annulets in the chief just don't quite look right to me. It seems that they should be interlocked as if representing the Holy Trinity, but they are just laid on top of each other. Perhaps it is just this particular emblazonment.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Well Jeremy you have a point there, they do indeed seem to be placed on top of eachother and not interlaced. I not sure if that is meant to be or that it is artistic license?