Brother Roger, the founder of the Taizé religious community in eastern France was stabbed to death during evening prayers at his ecumenical Christian community on August 16th. He was 90 years of age.
He had won a world wide following among young people due to his talent for communicating with them in a way they could understand. Catholics became more aware of him when Pope John XXIII invited him to observe the second Vatican Council. Hordes of young people, began making pilgrimages to Taizé. This continues to this day. His annual "youth synods" which he began in the late 1960s were forerunners of the World Youth Day days now held by the Catholic Church. Despite remaining a Protestant pastor throughout his life, he was seated at the front row at Pope John Paul II's funeral Mass last April, receiving communion from the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI) who has described him as a "beloved brother". Brother Roger often said he believed that the church was far more extensive than we can imagine. “We are far from sounding its breadth, height and depth."
Pope Paul VI once asked him: "What is the key to the heart of the young?" He replied, “we don't have a key and we never will." John Paul II said in 1986: " One drops in at Taize like one stops at a spring."

Here Mrs Chris Taylor of St. Mary’s High school, Blackpool, and Rev Nick Donnelly, Deacon at St.Mary’s, Barrow in Furness, offer their personal reflections.

Mrs Taylor: I remember Brother Roger with great affection. He was always kind, gentle, tolerant and a great advocate for young people in the church. He always made a special point of meeting the young people personally and encouraging them in their faith. Whilst he was a very spiritual man, he was also 'worldly' and he was well aware of the struggles which young people face in a world of so many distractions. He was a great listener and a very wise man. It's ironic that such a peaceful, gentle, person should meet with such a violent and tragic end, but he would be the first to forgive. He will be greatly missed by many thousands of people in many different

Rev Donnelly: In the early 80's I was involved in organising my parish’s involvement in Taize’s youth gathering in London. We hosted about 20 young people including Catholics from Ireland and Protestants from Northern Ireland. Remember! this was during the height of the Troubles, so there was some wariness and apprehension among us all. However, during that week we gradually came together through praying with the Taize chants and silent contemplation. This was the wonderful charism of Br. Roger, he brought together young people divided by history and beliefs, and helped them realise their oneness in the Body of Christ. My one poignant memory of him is seeing this slight figure, dressed in simple white robes, surrounded by a thousand young people in silent prayer in a candle-lit Westminster Cathedral. He had such a gentle smile, and calm, compassionate eyes. Though I weep at his dreadful murder, I thank God for touching my life through such a wonderful disciple of Christ’s peace, reconciliation, and love.