wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Taize - WCC shares in grief ... English version

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World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 17/08/2005

THE WCC SHARES IN GRIEF AT THE DEATH OF TAIZÉ'S FOUNDER, "A WITNESS TO
THE GOSPEL AND TO ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE"

"Brother Roger died as he lived, praying at the centre of his community,"
said the World Council of Churches acting general secretary Geneviève
Jacques in a message of condolence sent to the Taizé community today.
Expressing "shock" and "sadness" at the death of the community's founder
brother Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche, Jacques stated that "his witness to
the gospel and to ecumenical dialogue has been enormously influential over
the past century".  Jacques also praised his "unceasing search for
authentic ecumenical dialogue" which reached across "institutional
barriers".

The full text of the letter follows:

Geneva, August 17 2005

Dear brothers in Christ,

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not  let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them
be afraid." - John 14,27

Shocked by the news of Brother Roger's death in almost incredible
circumstances, I wish to tell you, on behalf of the World Council of
Churches, how saddened we are and offer you our deep feelings of compassion and solidarity at this time of grief. Our prayers join your own and those
of thousands of other people, both young and not so young, who have found
in the Taizé community a unique place of spiritual refreshment and
openness to others through listening to the word of God.

Brother Roger died as he lived, praying at the centre of his community.
The witness he bore throughout his life to the gospel and to ecumenical
dialogue has been enormously influential over the past century. The vision
of peace and reconciliation in 'Living Today for God',	which guided his
commitment and the community which he founded,	was a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal for generations of young people, both in Europe and
throughout the world, searching for a spirituality which had meaning in
the upheavals of today's world. His unceasing  search for an authentic
ecumenical dialogue between believers, going beyond institutional
barriers, was resoundingly received, especially by young people. Under his
spiritual leadership the Taizé community has been able to offer a model
that integrated praising God by living out liturgical renewal together
with practical solidarity towards those who are most deprived. For many of
us Brother Roger personfied the hope that Christian faith can bring to the
world and to each and every one of its inhabitants. Despite the tragic
circumstances, we must give thanks to God for having given Brother Roger
to us as a guide on our pilgrimage.

We wish to express our deep sense of solidarity and the assurance of our
prayers to all of you his brothers, on whom now rests the responsibility
of following the path indicated by Brother Roger and of maintaining the
flame of the torch which lights the way to unity, peace and reconciliation.
We pray for all those who witnessed the violent death of Brother Roger
that they may find the strenght to continue the struggle to overcome
violence in our world. We also pray for the woman responsible for this
fatal act, that through the grace of God her life may be transformed.

We pray that the Holy Spirit may guide your thoughts and hearts and may
give you the strength to continue in gratitude for the inheritance that
your Brother leaves you, an inheritance which bears that vision of hope,
peace and reconciliation which the world so greatly needs.

       Geneviève Jacques
       Acting general secretary
       World Council of Churches

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.