Fernand Joseph Cheri

FERNAND JOSEPH CHERI

Born : January 28, 1952
Deceased : March 21, 2023

Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, 2015-present

Origin/meaning

Bishop Cheri’s arms are composed of four quarters. The first quarter shows a fleur-de-lis used here to represent the Creole Heritage that dominates south Louisiana. This specific culture is a blending of the African, French and Native American cultures and which remind us of those brave people who worked for, fought for and which prayed for God’s salvation in life.

The second quarter shows a djembe drum, a classical musical instrument and signaling device used throughout West Africa. As a musical instrument, the drum is employed here to reflect Bishop Cheri’s passion for music, especially sacred or cultural music.

The third quarter ahows a Tau cross, a biblical symbol of the faithful, as told by the Prophet Ezekiel. The Tau was used by the hermit St. Anthony of Egypt and by St. Francis of Assisi as a symbol used to distinguish their work for the Church.

The fourth quarter symbolises the rope that is part of the usual waist cinch of the Franciscans. The simplicity of a simple rope belt, with the three knots representing poverty, chastity and obedience, is classic of the lifestyle presented by St. Francis for his order of “little brothers,” from the Latin “ordo fratrum minorum” or “order of friars minor.”

For his motto, Bishop Cheri has adopted the phrase “GOD IS MY STRENGTH,” from the Verse 7 of Psalm 28.

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Literature : Clarion Herald, Archdiocese of New Orleans