Cardinal Maurice E. Piat presided over the funeral of Mr. Karl Offmann, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, at the Sacred Heart Church, Beau-Bassin, on Sunday 13 March 2022. Father Jean-Claude Véder, who gave the homily, underlined the sense of service of the former president: “By being elected and through his nomination as a minister, he became a servant of the people. For us Christians, to be a minister is to be a servant (…) he always wanted to reduce poverty through his political commitment as Minister of Social Security”. He recalled that Mr Offmann had been, with Cardinal Piat, one of the pioneers of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) and that he had always been guided by his faith: “He had to go to the end of his faith. That’s why he wanted to go into politics.
Below is the main part of Father Véder’s homily
I have kept the Gospel of the Transfiguration, the one that is read in all the churches around the world on this 2nd Sunday of Lent. In this gospel page Jesus is transfigured in front of his disciples (it is a unique experience) to encourage them to face his upcoming death. At the same time, his face and his clothes, which shine like light, show us that Jesus will not remain in death but will experience resurrection. This is the paschal mystery, the centre of our faith. Karl lives his paschal mystery. He who has been baptised is a beloved son of the Father. Just as at the Transfiguration the voice of the Father resounded on the mountain with the words “This is my beloved Son”, so on the day of our baptism it is the same voice that attests that we are sons and daughters of God.
I would like to highlight three aspects of Karl’s life where he lived as a son of God.
A true Mauritian, a patriot
Karl left on a symbolic day, the 12th of March. This is not by chance. He, the child of Cassis, was aware of his belonging to this country that he loved and served. Bernard, his son, had just enough time to see the last moments of his father, before he breathed his last on the morning of Republic Day. Rooted in his land, in his culture, putting his life at the service of the nation.
His life of faith
He, the believer, the practitioner, lived his life in connection with his faith. I would rather say that his faith was the driving force of his life. By joining the Young Christian Workers (YCW), he transcribed into his life the spirituality of Catholic Action, which is to live his faith in the world. This is why his political commitment is noble, because the Christian layman must commit himself to the service of the Kingdom, by living his faith in the heart of the city. This led him to assume several responsibilities as a minister in different ministries and as President of the Republic. He understood the meaning of the expression “minister” which in Christian language means “servant”. He was a servant of his Lord by being a servant of the people.
His faithfulness
Another aspect of Karl’s life is his faithfulness: faithfulness to his wife Danielle. Since the day they said “I do” in the church of the Blessed Sacrament in Cassis, the words they spoke have become part of their lives: “In happiness as in trials, in health as in sickness, we will support each other throughout our lives”. Karl put this into practice by supporting his wife Danielle, who was ill for a long time. He was also faithful to his family, his children and grandchildren. We know that the family had a great place in his life.
Loyalty also in his political options.
Karl is living his passage, his “departure” to the Father he loved and served. May he welcome him with joy into his Kingdom!
