Port Louis, 28 April, 2020 / 5:45 pm (ACI Africa).
A Cardinal in the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has appealed to parishioners in his country to help meet the needs of their respective parishes as their Priests struggle financially amid COVID-19 challenges that have seen reduced support toward the needy.
“I appeal to the generosity and solidarity of the parishioners to support their parish and the parish service of solidarity towards the poorest,” the Bishop of Port-Louis diocese, Maurice Cardinal Piat has appealed in a letter to parishioners dated April 24.
He explained, “The shortfall is high for the parishes because they no longer have the income from offerings, self-financing, Mass intentions, and various donations. The parishes depend on this income to pay their staff and current costs.”
In the letter, the 78-year-old Prelate expresses his knowledge of the impact of the pandemic on the general population in the island country saying, “Confinement has put in great financial difficulty many families engaged in the informal and formal sectors, without forgetting those who have lost their jobs.”
Referencing the parishioners belonging to the over 30 parishes in the one-diocese nation, the Cardinal who is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) said, “You have always responded generously to our call, and I thank you very much.”
