A new logo was unveiled in Maynooth this week to symbolise the Irish Bishops' Conference.
Designed by the Dublin-based Dynamo company, it is based on a bishop's staff, symbolising his work as shepherd of his flock, and features a cross of St Brigid, a patron saint of Ireland, to signify the heritage of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The logo's four colours are those of the liturgical year. White represents Easter, Christmas and the other major Christian feasts. Red is traditionally associated with Christ's suffering, the Holy Spirit, the apostles and martyrs, while green is the colour of Ordinary Time (between the year's major liturgical events).
Purple is traditionally associated with "the preparation seasons" of Advent and Lent, as well as the sacrament of reconciliation, and prayer for the dead.
The colours green, purple and red are arranged to reflect St Patrick's shamrock symbol of the trinity, a key theme in Celtic Christian heritage and in the documents of Vatican II.
