Religious Leaders in Mauritius Decry Erosion of Social Values, Call for “moral rearmament”

Port Louis, 17 December, 2025 / 3:54 PM

Religious leaders in Mauritius have called for a nationwide “moral rearmament” and renewed education of consciences as a response to growing social challenges, including substance abuse, violence, and the erosion of social values.

In their end-of-year message, members of the Council of Religions (CoR) acknowledged Mauritius’ long-standing reputation for peace, democratic stability, and religious coexistence, while warning that emerging social ills threaten social cohesion if not addressed collectively.

The Religious leaders expressed concern about the increasing impact of alcohol and drug abuse, especially among young people, saying, “This is a deep problem that calls for collective action at the level of families as well as educators.’

They added, “We must seek the ‘why,’ the source of the unease that pushes so many people, young and old alike, to flee the reality of life and surrender to a destructive process that damages their personality.”

CoR members also addressed the growing influence of social media, acknowledging its benefits but cautioning against online aggression fueled by anonymity.

“We must acknowledge the progress that the development of social media brings to our society, but we must also be wary of the excesses and aggression that we can all observe day after day,” they said.

The religious leaders added, “People take refuge behind anonymity to vent, hurt, and insult. We are tempted to react emotionally and quickly without reflection, and this can have harmful consequences.”

They further raised alarm over cases of suicide recorded during the past year, including among young people. 

The religious leaders suggested the establishment of “listening units” in temples, churches, and mosques, and the training of individuals capable of offering attentive support to those in distress.

Other concerns highlighted included violence and theft targeting elderly people, which the council described as “unacceptable in a healthy society,” as well as pedocriminality and the spread of child pornography, calling for stronger efforts to protect children from abuse.

The council also condemned what it termed “generalized violence,” particularly on the roads, pointing to speeding, lack of respect for pedestrians, and aggressive behavior that tarnish the country’s image and undermine its reputation as a place of peace and rest.

Despite these challenges, CoR members expressed hope, citing the strong relationships among believers of different religions across Mauritius. 

“The good relations that exist among believers of different religions throughout the country allow us to hope for what we might call a moral rearmament,” they said.

The religious leaders added, “Our religions are very active in the celebration of worship through pilgrimages, processions, and calls to prayer, but these expressions of faith must also be opportunities to educate consciences in respect for certain fundamental values that we share.”

“We therefore invite religious institutions to take advantage of our worship and cultural celebrations to educate consciences on the importance of proper conduct, always telling the truth, and avoiding corruption in all its forms,” CoR members said.