The slaying of Brother Roger, founder of Taizé, the ecumenical Christian community in France, has not been widely reported in the mainstream press, it seems, but in case you missed it, here is a link to the story in the Telegraph.
The fatal stabbing of one of the world's most revered Christian leaders in his church provoked shock and revulsion yesterday.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Benedict and heads of state led tributes to 90-year-old Brother Roger, a Swiss-born Protestant pastor and the head of the Taizé community.
Investigators said the self-confessed killer, a 36-year-old Romanian woman identified only as Luminita, claimed to have attacked Brother Roger after failing to attract his attention. Details of the death of a man who dedicated his life to the causes of peace and ecumenism caused widespread disgust.
Brother Roger was stabbed three times in the throat and back during a service in the Reconciliation Church at Taizé in eastern France on Tuesday evening.
Brother Roger was featured on the cover of Touchstone in winter 1989 (photo, above).
A true loss to the cause of evangelical catholic renewal in the Church. Brother Roger has had incredible influence on the Church, in many of her expressions.
May the Holy Spirit continue to use the Taize Community as an instrument of peace!
Posted by: Pr. Dave Poedel | August 18, 2005 at 11:48 AM
For what it's worth, the Houston Chronicle had a rather lengthy article on this, and my much smaller local paper had a shorter item.
Posted by: beloml | August 18, 2005 at 01:47 PM
May our good Lord, take Br. Roger into His care,
and compassionate love. This same compassion
and truth that Br. Roger shared with all humanity.
May his soul rest in glorious peace.
Posted by: Hugh Ernst, OSB | August 23, 2005 at 03:31 PM