His Holiness the Patriarch expressed his condolences to the Taize Community Prior with the tragic death of a well-known Christian leader Fr. Roger Schutz

His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia sent his condolences to the prior of the Taize community with the murder of Fr. Roger, a well-known Christian preacher and religious leader of the present-day Europe.

 

The full text of the Patriarch’s message is given below.

 

To: Fr. Alois,

Prior of the Taize community

 

Dear brother in Christ,

 

It was with a profound grief that I learned of the tragic death of the founder of the Taize community Fr. Roger, whose earthly way had been an example of the life of a Christian who dedicated himself to the ministry to God.

 

Fr. Roger was known throughout the world as a founder of the Taize community that he led for over 60 years. An inspired preacher and man of prayer, a zealous worker in the field of Christ, he had gained respect everywhere for his tireless aspiration to establish relations of peace and love among Christians and for his preaching Christian ideals to European youth.

 

I am convinced that the tragic death of Fr. Roger was a great loss for the whole Christian world.

 

I express my sincere condolences to all members of the Taize community and pray for the repose of the late Fr. Roger in the heavenly mansions.

 

+ALEXY,

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

See also:

• His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia
• Fr. Roger of Taize Community Murdered during Divine Service
• Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad sent a telegramme of condolence with the murder of the Taize community Prior Fr. Roger Schutz