“Church must be present in prisons”: Catholic Bishop in Mauritius at Jubilee of Prisoners Launch

In Port-Louis, each month has focused on different groups within society, including families, the sick, youth, and workers. July is dedicated to prisoners, whom Bishop Durhône described as “often marginalized and forgotten.”

He underscored the urgent need for hope and reintegration, citing alarming statistics.

“Of the 2,877 inmates in Mauritian prisons as of May 2025, 52 percent are between 18 and 30 years old, and 96 percent are men. Many of these young detainees are victims of a growing drug crisis. The majority are in prison because of drugs,” Bishop Durhône lamented.

He added, “To welcome them like Christ is to listen to their suffering, to the pain of their families, and to look at them not with judgment but with mercy.”

The Mauritian Catholic Church leader, who was consecrated Bishop of Port Louis Diocese in August 2023, described the shame and silence that families of inmates often endure, calling on society to break this stigma and to see the dignity in every incarcerated person.

More in Africa

Missionary Congregation Joins Call for Prayers for 265 Children still Held after Nigerian School Abductions

Read the article

The Church’s mission, he said, is not only spiritual but also social: to build bridges toward rehabilitation and challenge systems that keep ex-prisoners marginalized.

One key area he addressed is reintegration into the workforce, calling for dialogue with decision-makers about reforming how morality certificates are issued to former detainees.

“If a person, even after serving time, cannot access employment because of their criminal record, then the sentence continues long after prison,” Bishop Durhône.

He also called attention to initiatives already underway within prisons, such as vocational training and art exhibitions, which he said help inmates reclaim their self-worth and contribute positively.

“Prison is not just a place of confinement. It can be a place of resurrection,” he said.

On Wednesday, July 23, the Diocese is to host a public event focused on reintegration and rebuilding lives after incarceration. It is expected to feature testimonies from former detainees and families affected by incarceration.

Bishop Durhône underscored the importance of listening—to prisoners, their families, and the realities that push people into cycles of crime and addiction. 

He tied the work of prison ministry to the core message of Matthew 25: “I was in prison and you visited me.”

The Catholic Church leader also lauded the ongoing collaboration between the Church, civil society, and the prison administration. 

He noted that the Jubilee offers plenary indulgence—a spiritual grace—to prisoners and encouraged reflection on whether governments might show similar acts of mercy during this Jubilee Year.

(Story continues below)

“This is a path of hope. May this Jubilee awaken us to the call of Christ who was himself condemned and imprisoned, yet opened the way to resurrection and dignity for all,” he implored.

The Jubilee of Prisoners is to run until Sunday, July 27, with pastoral visits, listening sessions, confessions, and special Masses being held in all correctional facilities in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.