John Henry Luers

Who was John Henry Luers?

John Henry Luers was nominated first bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and consecrated in Cincinnati, Ohio, 10 January 1858.

Luers was born near Münster, Westphalia and emigrated to America in 1831. He was ordained a priest in Cincinnati on November 11, 1846. Entering upon the administration of the new diocese, he devoted himself zealously to the founding of new parishes and missions, provided a home for the orphans, and built a cathedral. His endeavours were substantially assisted by his dioecesan priest Eduard König. Via his connections to German priests, especially Heinrich Spaller of Gelsenkirchen, he negotiated since 1866 for members of a German religious congregation, namely the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ of Dernbach / Westerwald to come to the USA. The members of this community were widely known for their thorough training in nursing and schooling. In Germany they were among the very first nursing sisters who received training from a university trained medic instead, as it was thence usual, only from fellow nurses. On August 24, 1868 the first sisters of this congregation settled in Hessen Kasssel, in his diocese. Bishop Luers was very impressed by their work.