Catholic Bishop Sends Diwali 2026 Message to Hindu Mauritians
Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of Port Louis marked Diwali on 8 November 2026 with a message of light, goodness and unity for the Hindu community.
On Friday 8 November 2026, Mgr Jean Michaël Durhône, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Port Louis, extended warm Diwali greetings to Mauritius's Hindu community in a message that underlined the shared values uniting all Mauritians regardless of faith.
In his address, the bishop drew on the central symbolism of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, to remind all Mauritians that light overcomes darkness and that good ultimately triumphs over evil. These are themes that resonate across religions, and Mgr Durhône made clear that he sees them as a foundation for mutual respect and social harmony.
The bishop also called on citizens to reject hatred in all its forms, using the occasion as an opportunity to promote tolerance and solidarity in a country where multiple religions coexist closely. Mauritius is home to a population that is roughly half Hindu, alongside significant Muslim, Christian and other communities, making interfaith gestures like this one both meaningful and common in public life.
Mgr Durhône has led the Diocese of Port Louis, which covers the island of Mauritius, since his appointment by the Vatican. His Diwali message follows a long tradition of Mauritian religious leaders acknowledging each other's festivals, a practice that reflects the country's constitutional commitment to religious freedom and its cultural identity as a multi-faith nation.
Diwali, also written as Divali in Mauritius, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals on the island and is a public holiday. The festival marks the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, drawing on ancient Hindu traditions. In Mauritius, it is observed with the lighting of oil lamps called diyas, fireworks, prayers, and the sharing of sweets among families and neighbours of all backgrounds.
The bishop's message is a reminder that in Mauritius, religious celebrations are rarely confined to a single community. It is routine for political leaders, church figures, imams and community representatives to send greetings across faith boundaries during major festivals, reinforcing the island's reputation for relatively peaceful communal relations.
What this means: For Mauritians and observers abroad, this message signals the continued strength of interfaith dialogue on the island. It also reflects how public figures in Mauritius use religious occasions not just to celebrate one community but to reinforce a broader national identity built on shared values.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diwali a public holiday in Mauritius?−
Yes, Diwali, also spelled Divali, is an official public holiday in Mauritius. It is one of the most widely observed festivals on the island, celebrated by the Hindu community and acknowledged by people of other faiths. The date changes each year according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Who is the Catholic Bishop of Port Louis?−
Mgr Jean Michaël Durhône is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Port Louis, the diocese that covers the island of Mauritius. He was appointed by the Vatican and regularly issues messages on major national and interfaith occasions.
How do different religious communities in Mauritius observe each other's festivals?−
In Mauritius, it is a well-established custom for religious leaders, government ministers and community figures to send greetings across faith boundaries during major festivals such as Diwali, Eid and Christmas. This practice reflects Mauritius's multi-faith society and its constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
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