Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-03-29 08:21:01
“In the face of these sufferings, we are called, beyond religious confession, to compassion, solidarity, and generosity towards our fellow human brothers and sisters who are suffering,” emphasized Mgr Jean Michaël Durhône in his Easter message to the nation.
He did not fail to mention the tragedy that occurred in Arsenal, resulting in six deaths during the pilgrimage for the Mahashivaratri festival this year, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has devastating consequences on thousands of families, with a high number of women and children among the victims.
Below is the message from the Bishop of Port Louis:
“Dear brothers and sisters of Mauritius, Agaléga, and Chagos,
“We Mauritians are rich in our cultural and religious diversities, and our respective times of Lent and fasting have allowed us to purify ourselves and take the time to reflect on our lives in the light of our faith. We have been more diligent in listening to the Word of God which invites us to serve, share, and forgive.
“Along with our fellow Mauritians of other faiths, we have experienced a Lent marked by sadness with the deaths of six young pilgrims on their way to the sacred lake. In the world, several countries are at war, their inhabitants are persecuted, families are sometimes separated by deportation, and others witness the death of their loved ones.
“How can we not think of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where children, youth, and adults are victims of so much violence? Sometimes it is natural disasters that leave many families in a situation of great precarity and suffering. Faced with this suffering, we are called, beyond religious confession, to compassion, solidarity, and generosity towards our fellow human brothers and sisters who are suffering.
“Through his son Jesus Christ, who died on a cross out of love for us and was resurrected, God shows us a path of hope, proving that good triumphs over evil, light over darkness, and love is stronger than hate, and life is stronger than death.
“Driven by this hope, men, women, and youth engage in NGOs to combat poverty, work towards reconciliation and peace in different conflicts, and safeguard our common home. The Member States of the United Nations voted overwhelmingly for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“We were proud of the success of our young athletes and para-athletes at the recent African Games, which demonstrate that effort and sacrifices lead to success. On the occasion of the celebration of our 56th Independence Day where all Mauritians sang our national anthem with one heart, we expressed our desire to build a fairer, more supportive, and more fraternal Mauritius.
“At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and with the resurrection, hope is reborn. With you, I pray that this hope that resides within us will urge us to show compassion and solidarity towards our brothers and sisters in need. May it enable us to commit to building this fairer, more supportive, and more fraternal Mauritius.
“I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, to be inspired by faith in this God of love and mercy who desires our happiness.”
Joyful Easter.
Jean Michaël Durhône, Bishop of Port Louis.”
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
