Rome, Italy, Aug 17, 2007 / 09:15 am
Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the murder of Br. Roger, the founder of the ecumenical Taize community in France. He was stabbed to death during a prayer service at the age of 90.
Vatican Radio interviewed the current head of the community, Br. Alois, about the anniversary and the community’s faithfulness to their founder’s mission.
Br. Alois said that they will commemorate Br. Roger in the community during their prayers; “Tonight at the evening prayer we will remember the gift of his life and his death.”
Prior Alois sees the mission of Taize continuing by welcoming the diverse group of Christians that come to their community. “[N]ow it is important for us to welcome all of these young people here who come from different backgrounds, different churches, all of these different communities. For example, we have many young people from Orthodox countries: from Romania, from Ukrainia, from the Russian Orthodox Church, and many Catholic young people here; Protestant young people…”