President James Michel yesterday met Father Gustave Lafortune of the Roman Catholic Mission to personally congratulate him on his 50 years of priesthood.

The President expressed regret that he could not attend the special mass which was held in Father Lafortune’s honour last Sunday as the state visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Seychelles coincided with the occasion.

"Thank you for all the years of service you have dedicated to the people of Seychelles, to the Roman Catholic Church and to your country. I wish you good health and every success in the years to come,” said President Michel during the meeting at State House.

Father Lafortune thanked the President for his personal support and good wishes too.

In an interview after the meeting Father Lafortune told Seychelles Nation he was happy to have had this meeting with President Michel.

“Like President Michel has written his autobiography, I wish to write mine too,” he said.

He said now that he has celebrated 50 years of priesthood, he will continue his mission to help those in need, especially those who have lost their faith and live their lives around material things.

He added that he will not retire from the priesthood and will continue to serve his parish for as long as he is able to.

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