In an oxychlorination process of the type where ethylene is converted to 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of a supported copper catalyst, the improvement comprising: the use of a supported catalyst prepared by (i) impregnating, within a first step, an alumina support with a first aqueous solution including copper, to thereby form a first catalyst component; and (ii) impregnating, within a subsequent step, the first catalyst component with a second aqueous solution including copper and alkaline earth metal, to thereby form the supported catalyst.