Ecclesiastical Hats: Roman Catholic Church

Schedule of Insignia which may be used in connexion with the personal arms of prelates and clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, except where a Pontifical Concession details particular insignia. In such cases the text of the decree should be followed. The text of the Warrant may be seen here.

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Cardinals

Above the arms is placed a red hat having fifteen tassels interwove with gold thread on either side (1).

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Archbishops

Above the arms is placed a mitre (mitra preciosa) (2) and/or a green hat having ten tassels pendent on either side (3). Behind the arms is placed a double-traversed cross (4) in pale.

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Diocesan and Titular Bishops, & Abbots Nullius Dioceseos

Above the arms is placed a mitre (mitra preciosa) (2) and/or a green hat having six tassels pendent on either side (5). Behind the arms is placed either a single traversed cross (6) or a crozier (7) either in pale or in bend.

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Abbots

Above the arms is placed a mitre (mitra simplex) (8) or a black hat having three tassels pendent on either side (9). Behind the arms is placed a golden crozier (7) either in pale or in bend.

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Protonotaries Apostolic and Vicars Prefects & Administrators Apostolic

Above the arms is placed a crimson hat having six tassels pendent on either side (10).

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Religious Superiors General or Provincial and Honorary or Titular Protonotaries Apostolic

Above the arms is placed a black hat having six tassels pendent on either side (11).

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Domestic Prelates to The Pope

Above the arms is placed a violet hat having six tassels pendent on either side (12).

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Privy Chamberlains and Privy Chaplains to The Pope

Above the arms is placed a black hat having six violet tassels pendent on either side (13).

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Canons

Above the arms is placed a black hat having three tassels pendent on either side (9).

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Priests

Above the arms is placed a black hat having one tassel pendent on either side (14).

NOTE: If any of the above prelates or clergy are cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, then they substitute the cardinal’s hat (1) for that which they would otherwise use.

Schedule approved John Card. Heenan, Archbishop of Westminster 23 February 1967

College of Arms

Ecclesiastical Hats: Roman Catholic Church