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At First Ordination, Mauritian Bishop Urges New Deacon to “listen with compassion”

Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône embraces Yannick Casquette during the September 3 Diaconate Ordination. Credit: Port Louis Diocese

Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of Port Louis Diocese in Mauritius has urged the new Deacon he ordained on Sunday, September 3, the first ordination since his Episcopal Consecration on August 20, to “listen with compassion”. 

In his homily during the Diaconate ordination of Seminarian Yannick Casquette, Bishop Durhône encouraged young people to be attentive to God’s call and respond, and called upon families to continue fostering vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. 

“Listen with compassion and be sensitive to the joys and sorrows of every human being, of society, of the country and of the Church,” the Mauritian Catholic Bishop said during the ordination event that was held at Holy Spirit Parish of Port Louis Diocese.

He added, “The Deacon's mission is to proclaim the word of God, to teach and transmit hope to others.”

The Catholic Church leader reminded Seminarian Casquette that as a Deacon, he will not be a “superhero, but a servant in the model of Christ the servant of servants.”

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“Yannick Casquette is not an actor or a comic-book superhero, but rather a servant of the faith, in the image of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Durhône said.

He encouraged the people of God the new Deacon will be ministering among to see in him as “an example of sincere charity and unconditional love for those most in need.”

The Bishop of Port Louis Diocese called on “everyone to follow a path of conversion and live what Christ teaches, and be happy servants, bearers of the good news.”

Aged 40, Deacon Yannick Casquette, who has been assigned to Bel-Air Parish of Port Louis Diocese, is the eldest of two children. 

Originally from the Mauritian town of Curepipe, Deacon Yannick Casquette was a parishioner at St. Hélène Parish, where he was an altar server. He worked as a Web developer before he started his formation to the Priesthood.

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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.