About 30% of the population belongs to diverse Christian churches of the island. The Christian religion has been the first to take root in Mauritius in the wake of the Dutch colonization (1638-1710) and, later on, with the Roman Catholic Church with the coming of the French in 1721. With the passage of time, new Christian denominations have appeared on the scene, among which the Anglican faith after the conquest of the island by the British in 1810. The meeting of these various religions sensitivities of Christian inspiration on the Mauritian soil has brought along in its wake a real wealth and diversity in religious observances and rites. The annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Father Jacques Desire Laval is a popular practice.
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