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Catholic Bishop in Mauritius Expresses Solidarity with, Support for Cyclone Victims

Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of Mauritius’ Port Louis Diocese. Credit: Port Louis Diocese

Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of the Catholic Diocese of Port Louis in Mauritius has expressed his solidarity with and support for victims of Cyclone Belal that hit the Indian Ocean Island nation on Monday, January 15.

At least one person died and about 100 vehicles were damaged and abandoned by their owners as a result of floods that hit the capital Port Louis on January 15, BBC News reported

The January 16 BBC report further indicates that authorities have “upgraded the cyclone warning to the maximum level for a while.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, January 16, Bishop Durhône says, “We are all saddened and shocked by the terrifying images of the flooding that hit several regions of the country, particularly the capital, on Monday 15 January 2024 during the passage of cyclone Belal.”

“These images of desolation and distress, relayed on social media, have greatly affected us,” the Local Ordinary of Port Louis says.

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He adds, “On behalf of the Catholic faithful, I offer my sympathies to the victim’s family. I pray for the repose of the motorcyclist who lost his life and that the Lord may grant consolation to the family who mourns this loss.”

The Mauritian Catholic Church leader, who was ordained Bishop of Port Louis Diocese last August 20 says, “My thoughts also go out to the people of Mauritius who lost everything in the floods and who now find themselves destitute and in an extremely precarious situation.”

“Our attention also goes to the homeless. Let us welcome them and give them our support at this difficult time,” Bishop Durhône says.

He thanks the emergency services and to the people of God in general for the “mutual aid between Mauritians that resurfaced, intact and spontaneous, with each disaster that plunges our country into mourning.”

“Let us continue to show solidarity and unity in these difficult times,” the 50-year-old Mauritian Bishop says.

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According to the January 16 BBC News report, authorities in Mauritius are “carrying out a full assessment of the main roads and critical infrastructure.”

The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) has warned that while the storm was now moving away Eastwards, “other environmental risks” still exist.

In his January 16 statement, Bishop Durhône says, “These events cannot leave us indifferent because they affect our security.”

He calls on relevant authorities in the Indian Ocean Island nation to “learn from what happened on 15 January 2024 so that such situations are not repeated.”

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.