Mauritius celebrates arrival
of the new millennium

EAU COULÉE, Mauritius — A special message which the Bible Society of Mauritius placed in the country’s main newspapers in January to mark the arrival of the new millennium was warmly welcomed by the island’s churches and the general public.

The notice, which drew on the Gospel of Luke, read as follows: “Greetings and peace in Jesus Christ. ‘He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives…to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.’ … This passage of Scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.” (Luke 4:18-21).

The Bible Society initiative was organised in conjunction with the churches represented on its board and other Christian organisations.

Exhibition and rally

Late last year, again in the context of the new millennium but also in celebration of its 188th anniversary, the Bible Society organised an exhibition and a national rally on the theme ‘Celebration of the Word’.

The exhibition, held in a gallery in the town of Rose Hill, included displays of translations of the Holy Scriptures in a hundred languages, photographs recalling significant moments of the Bible Society and audio-visual and computer-based attractions.

Newspapers, radio and television gave the exhibition good coverage and it attracted a large number of visitors.

The rally took place, also in Rose Hill, on November 11, the anniversary date of the Bible Society. Church leaders and representatives joined civic dignitaries, and the celebration was enlivened by music, singing from choirs and soloists, and dancing.

‘Bible is the answer’

The guest of honour, the mayor of Rose Hill, Gervais Lasplasces, said that the Bible was always relevant “because it is the answer to all society’s problems in this millennium of change.” He added that he would like to see a translation of the Bible into Creole, the maternal language of the country.

Newspapers, radio and television gave the exhibition good coverage and it attracted a large number of visitors.

The Rev Jacques Harel, representing the Roman Catholic Church, emphasised that the Bible was a “family home” where everybody could meet and share their common heritage.

The Rev Rodney Curpanen, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, praised the Bible Society for having been “a powerful aid to the work of mission” throughout its history.

No exclusion

Marc Etive, General Secretary of the Society, emphasised that the Bible Society was an organisation which refused to practise exclusion. Its supporters believed that each church had its truth but that Jesus was the truth.