Mauritius mourns Cardinal Jean Margeot

The retired Catholic archbishop of Port Louis, Cardinal Jean Margéot, a highly respected figure in Mauritius, died on 17 July aged 93.
The island has declared a period of national mourning for the cardinal and suspended sporting events.

In a condolence message to Bishop Maurice Piat of Port Louis Pope Benedict expressed his "profound union in prayer with the diocese of Port-Louis, with the family of the deceased and with everyone affected by this loss. Entrusting him to the mercy of the Lord, I give thanks to God for the ministry of this zealous pastor who dedicated his entire life to the inhabitants of the Isle of Mauritius, as diocesan priest then as bishop of Port-Louis, giving the best of himself that Christ might be announced, especially through his generous commitment to serving the defence and promotion of the family."

Cardinal Margéot was born on 3 February 1916, at Quatre Bornes. He was ordained priest in 1938 at the age of 22 and became Bishop of Port-Louis in 1969. He was made his country's first cardinal in 1988.

The prelate served as president of the Indian Ocean bishops' conference from 1986 to 1989. He retired from leading the diocese in 1993, for reasons of age. The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has some 1.3 million inhabitants, with 28 percent professing the Catholic faith.

Source: VIS/CISA/Judex Aiken