Port Prince — The Bishop of Port Louis in Mauritius, the Rt. Rev. Maurice Piat, has condemned corruption in the country saying it can be called a disservice to peace.

Speaking from Port Prince at the weekend about the year 2011 and his expectations of 2012, he thanked the clergy, the religious and the laity in the diocese for their service to the church. He noted that corruption was becoming a problem to the country.

He explained that everyone needs peace in families, in places of work and throughout the country, but the real peace makers are those who work for the common good and the enemies of peace are those who seek to enrich themselves by helping themselves of what belongs to the nation.

According to Vatican Radio, he called upon the faithful to work for the good of the church and of the country and to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

He expressed concern about the indifference of youth to the faith. Referring to recent statistics, he said 80% of the youth who receive the first Holy Communion and the sacrament of Confirmation cease to practice the faith soon after.

He called upon the people engaged in evangelisation, priests, religious, catechists and teachers to look at the problem seriously and work together to find out the causes and the appropriate solutions.

He noted also that the country needs to put more efforts in environmental protection and called upon the citizens to adopt a style of life that protects the environment from degradation.