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Founder of Taizé community killed during worship service

Episcopal News Service

The 90-year-old founder of the ecumenical Taizé community, known to the world simply as Brother Roger, was killed Aug. 16 during evening prayer in the Church of Reconciliation. He was struck down by a knife wielded by a Romanian woman who emerged from the crowd of 2,500 worshippers.

Taizé officials said the woman had arrived two days earlier at the community, located near Macon in Burgundy, France. “It would appear for now there is little doubt that this was premeditated,” a local prosecutor told reporters, adding that she was not “unbalanced enough to justify psychiatric care.”

People at the service grabbed the woman and turned her over to police.

Anglicans express shock

The Swiss Protestant monk’s sudden and tragic death prompted an outpouring of grief from Anglican leaders around the world.

Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, who first visited Taizé  more than 40 years ago, said, “I am profoundly distressed by his death and the manner in which it occurred. For such a man of peace to meet a violent end while at prayer with his brothers and young pilgrims recalls the mystery of the Cross in stark and unambiguous terms.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said, “This is an indescribable shock. Brother Roger was one of the best-loved Christian leaders of our time, and hundreds of thousands will be feeling his loss very personally, and remembering him in prayer and gratitude.

“But the shock and trauma for the community at Taizé will be heavy — and it will be for all the young people who witnessed this event. All of them are in our prayers.”

Bishop Pierre Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe wrote,  “What a dreadful end to one of the finest men on the planet, who did more for reconciliation among Christians than anyone else I know. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

65 years of prayer

The Taizé community, founded in 1940 by Brother Roger when he was 25, became a safe haven for political refugees and people of all faiths, among them Jews fleeing the Holocaust.

Since the late 1950s, thousands of young adults from many countries have come to Taizé to take part in weekly meetings of prayer and reflection.

More than 100 Taizé brothers, committed to material and spiritual sharing, celibacy and simplicity of life, make visits and lead meetings in Africa, North and South America, Asia, and in Europe, as part of what they call “a pilgrimage of trust on earth.”

Eight years ago, Brother Roger designated Brother Alois to succeed him as the person in charge of the community. 

Brother Roger’s funeral took place Aug. 23 at Taizé.