[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF MOST REVEREND FERNAND JOSEPH CHERI, 
               III, OFM, AUXILIARY BISHOP OF NEW ORLEANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New 
Orleans' beloved native son, a true spiritual leader, mentor, and 
confidant. It is with great sadness that the Archdiocese of New Orleans 
announced the passing of the Most Reverend Fernand Joseph Cheri, III, 
OFM, Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, who died on March 21, 2023. He 
was 71 years of age. He was the son of Fernand J. Jr., and Gladys 
Marguerite Epps Cheri.
  In a recent message, Archbishop Aymond shared the news with clergy, 
the community of New Orleans, and the religious of the archdiocese 
writing, ``It is with a sad heart that I inform you that Bishop Fernand 
Cheri died. He has been called home to the Lord. We mourn his death and 
thank God for his life and ministry. May he rest in the arms of the 
risen Christ.''
  Bishop Fernand Cheri was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 
28, 1952. He attended Epiphany Elementary School, New Orleans, St. John 
Prep, New Orleans, and St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict. He 
received a Master of Divinity at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and 
a Master of Theology from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at 
Xavier University, New Orleans. He was ordained to the priesthood on 
May 20, 1978, at St. Louis Cathedral.
  After his ordination, Bishop Cheri served as Associate Pastor of St. 
Joseph the Worker Church in Marrero, Louisiana, and later in New 
Orleans serving at St. Francis de Sales, St. Theresa Child of Jesus, 
and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Churches.
  In 1996, he made his solemn profession in the Order of Friars Minor 
in the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and became a 
Franciscan priest to serve disadvantaged communities such as 
incarcerated individuals and the homeless. Bishop Cheri spent several 
years dedicated to campus ministry at Quincy University in Quincy, 
Illinois.
  He returned to the Archdiocese of New Orleans after his Episcopal 
Ordination as Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans and Titular Bishop of 
Membressa on March 23, 2015. He served as Auxiliary Bishop since his 
ordination and recently served the people of St. Peter Claver Parish as 
Administrator.
  Bishop Cheri was also a popular guest speaker and revivalist. He 
traveled both within the Archdiocese of New Orleans and nationally, 
preaching and sharing his love of music.
  In addition to his pastoral assignments, Bishop Cheri served as a 
member of the College of Consultors, was a teacher at St. Augustine 
High School, New Orleans, and campus minister at Xavier University, New 
Orleans. He also served as the vocation minister for the OFM St. Louis 
Province, served on the Archbishop James P. Lyke Foundation, Catholic 
Campus Ministry Association, Episcopal Liaison to the African Congress 
Board of Trustees, and convener of the U.S. African American Bishops. 
Bishop Cheri was also very influential and active with the Knights and 
Ladies of St. Peter Claver and the Institute of Black Catholic Studies 
at Xavier University.
  The world is suffering a loss of a great Auxiliary Bishop that 
continuously prayed and worked to serve those often forgotten. We know 
that he will continue to watch over us as we live to fulfill his 
mission.

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