NEW ORLEANS — Let the record show that never in the nearly 300-year history of St. Louis Cathedral have Catholics seen a dancing bishop.

But when Bishop Fernand "Ferd" Cheri made his first remarks to the nearly 1,000 people gathered for his ordination as auxiliary bishop March 23, the native son couldn't resist breaking into spirituals and even moving a few body parts.

Very reverently.

Bishop Cheri, 63, spoke after giving Communion to his 87-year-old mother, Gladys, seated proudly in the front pew just weeks after she had fallen and broken her hip. But her condition hardly fazed her as she jumped to her feet and began twirling a colorful "second line" umbrella — a local custom at celebrations — as Bishop Cheri broke into song before the final blessing.

All of the bishop's four sisters and his mother were dressed in red, the episcopal color. Bishop Cheri's brother Richard, a longtime choir leader, watched from the balcony as he directed the Archdiocese Gospel Choir, established 31 years ago by then-Father Cheri.

"I feel like King David felt when the ark of God was being brought into Jerusalem," Bishop Cheri said, smiling broadly after being ordained auxiliary bishop of New Orleans by Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. He joins the ranks of about a dozen U.S. black Catholic bishops.

Two of those bishops, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta (former Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville) and Bishop J. Terry Steib of Memphis were co-consecrators.

"Like David, I'm so overjoyed by God's blessings and God's grace and God's mercy. I feel like I have to give a testimony," Bishop Cheri said.

That drew murmurs from the knowing crowd, many of whom had heard Bishop Cheri speak before in their churches or at Gospel-based revivals.

An organist began playing a few notes, indicating a joyful noise was about to erupt, and it did.

"Lift every voice and sing, to give all praise, all glory and honor to God," Bishop Cheri said, reciting one song. "For I've come — we've come — this far by faith ... treading a path through the blood of the slaughter. ... I feel like singing my song, I feel like singing my song. Yes, I've been through a lot, and I'm going with Jesus all the way."

He was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1978 before transferring to the Franciscans in 1992. His most recent appointment was as director of campus ministry at Quincy University.

Citing the lyrics of another spiritual, Bishop Cheri said he wanted to give thanks to the many people who had lifted him up during the toughest moments of his seminary and priestly life. When Bishop Cheri faced several racially charged incidents, he said God allowed him to persevere in his vocation by bringing people into his life, especially members of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, who told him personal stories about what they had endured.

Bishop Cheri's place in the history of African-American Catholic bishops was not lost on Sister Jane Boos, SSND, director, Office for Social Concerns and Respect for Life for the Springfield diocese.

"Bishop Cheri served as our Black Catholic Coordinator for only one year but had a tremendous impact. His love of music and his ministry of service caught on quickly. I believe that he has much to say to our church as a black bishop and will look forward to reading his words," said Sister Jane.

Father David Hoefler, V.G./Moderator of the Curia for the Springfield diocese also attended the ordination Mass.

"I've known Bishop Cheri as a very warm individual with a personality well-suited to his ministry," said Father Hoefler. "That warmth certainly resonated with the people he will now be shepherding."

After Bishop Cheri returned to his chair to extended applause, Archbishop Aymond turned to the congregation and said: "I think this afternoon we have been to church."

In his homily before the rite of ordination, Archbishop Aymond looked at his fellow Notre Dame Seminary alumnus and said: "Ferd, welcome home!

"Ferd, we also thank you for your faith and your priestly ministry over the years and for faithfully answering God's call to serve the church as a servant leader," Archbishop Aymond said.

Archbishop Aymond also noted that Bishop Cheri followed in the footsteps of the late Auxiliary Bishop Harold R. Perry of New Orleans, who in 1966 became the first African-American Catholic bishop in the 20th century.

"You bring the richness of the African-American tradition to our church," Archbishop Aymond said. "Bishop Perry led a prophetic life. Ferd, you have the privilege to walk in his footsteps."

Archbishop Aymond explained three of the outward signs of the bishop's office: the ring as a symbol of "unconditional fidelity to Christ and his church"; the miter, a bishop's headpiece, as a sign of the "call to holiness"; and the crozier, or pastoral staff, representing "Christ the Good Shepherd in whose name he will lead."

"Ferd, sometimes you will find yourself leaning on the pastoral staff acknowledging your dependence on Jesus, especially when you bear the burdens of God's people," Archbishop Aymond said. "When you lean on the crozier, be reminded of your motto, 'God is My Strength.'"

Peter Finney Jr. is editor of the Clarion Herald of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Contributing was Scott Mulford, editor, Catholic Times.