After 3 years, Rodrigues has its new bishop. Michel Moura has been ordained this afternoon. He thus succeeds Mgr Alain Harel and becomes the 2nd bishop of the island. The episcopal ordination ceremony was presided by Cardinal Maurice Piat, Mgr Alain Harel and Mgr Michaël Durhonne. During his homily, Cardinal Piat asks the new bishop to be at the side of the people of Rodrigues, to listen to them and to walk with them, like a good shepherd. Numerous personalities attended Bishop Moura’s ordination. Among them we had Vice-President of the Republic, Eddy Boissézon, the Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the leader of the opposition, Xavier Luc Duval, and the Chief Commissioner, Franceau Grandcourt.
Cardinal Piat concluded his homily by saying: “Today is a day of celebration, a day of great joy for Rodrigues, a day long awaited. Thank you for inviting me to share in your joy and thanksgiving for your new bishop.
I’m not forgetting that, as former Bishop of Port-Louis, I was your pastor for some 7 years. Together we lived through the Synod of 1997-2000, where the voice of Rodrigues was heard through some fine contributions on overall pastoral care and inculturation.”
Cardinal Piat reminds us that today Rodrigues is called upon to make another important transition by welcoming its new Pastor, Bishop Michel Moura. Your bishop was appointed by Pope Francis, but it is the Lord who gives him to you in his great tenderness for the people of Rodrigues. Let us express our gratitude to the Holy Father and let us give thanks to the Lord.
