Press Releases22 Aug 05

Statement by the Chair of the Committee for Christian Unity on the death of Brother Roger of Taize

The General Synod Committee for Christian Unity

Statement by the Chair, The Rt Revd Peter F. Barrett, Bishop of Cashel & Ossory

On behalf of the Church of Ireland General Synod Committee for Christian Unity, I wish to extend to the members of the Taize Community in France and throughout the world, our deepest sympathy on the death in such distressing circumstances of Brother Roger.

His Spirit led and Spirit filled life has been an ecumenical inspiration to successive generations of pilgrims, especially young pilgrims and has greatly encouraged the Churches in their hesitant dialogues along the road to a fuller unity in Christ.

His example and his writings will continue to refresh the ministry and mission of the Taize Community and all of us in our service of the Kingdom of God and its precious gift of unity for which Christ prayed and prays. In a mysterious way, the tragic manner of his dying was a reflection of the pattern of his outstanding discipleship: availability and vulnerability to God and to others. We thank the Lord for his saintly life.