COAT OF ARMS
The Most Reverend Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger


The coat of arms of Bishop Gettelfinger integrates the arms of the Diocese of
Evansville with colors and charges personal to him. It is divided into three vertical parts.

The left section is the coat of arms from the Diocese of Evansville, in blue and white.

In the middle panel nine gold stars on a field of white stand for the parents, two
brothers and five sisters of Bishop Gettelfinger. Gold represents the joy and
wisdom shared in growing up in a large family.

The panel to the right signifies several levels of relevance. Place and space are
important to the Bishop, especially the hills and fields of southern Indiana,
symbolized in green ground with blue heavens and waters of the Ohio river.

The gold sphere not only speaks of the summer sun of those fields but of Jesus who
is the "Sun of Righteousness" and the "Light of the World." It is the sun of a new day.

The sower is a special symbol. He casts seed in a wide arc to the ground. As the son
of a farmer, the teacher of youth and preacher of the assembly,
Bishop Gettelfinger reveres the symbol in the "broadcaster of seed."

The motto, "Dominus pars," is derived from the Tonsure Prayer of Ordination
(Psalm 16). "Dominus pars hereditatis meae et calicis mei: tu es qui restitues
hereditatem meam mihi." (The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of
my cup; it is you who will restore my inheritance to me.)


VITAE
Most Reverend Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger

Born October 20, 1935 at Ramsey, Indiana
Fourth of eight children of Gerald and Mary Gettelfinger
Entered St. Meinrad High School, September 1949
Graduated St. Meinrad High School, May 1953
Graduated St. Meinrad College - 1957
Graduate Studies, Butler University, Indianapolis - MS Degree in Education, 1965

Ordained to Holy Priesthood, May 7, 1961
Named Domestic Prelate, January 26, 1983
Chancellor Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1980 - 1988
Vicar General Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1988 - 1989
Appointed Bishop, Diocese of Evansville - March 11, 1989
Ordained and Installed Bishop, Diocese of Evansville - April 11, 1989

Other appointments included Assistant Pastor, Pastor, Assistant Principal
and Principal of a high school, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for
Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Bishop Gettelfinger is the current Episcopal Liaison to the
National Catholic Committee on Scouting. He has hiked the
St. George Trek several times. He is the recipient of
the Silver Beaver, the Silver Antelope, and
the Silver Buffalo Awards.

Bishop Gettelfinger holds current memberships in the
Evansville Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club,
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Advisory Board,
and the Governor's Indiana Education Roundtable.

Interests include canoeing, camping, and skiing.