A seed of reconciliation” “” “

For a month now the mortal remains of Frère Roger have been resting in the shade of the little Romanesque church in the village of Taizé, where, in 1940, he had been invited to live by an elderly woman of the parish. Twelve thousand people, including a huge throng of youngsters, had gathered in the church of the Reconciliation to say their last farewell to him. The Eucharist was officiated by the German Cardinal Kasper, prefect of the Congregation for the Promotion of Christian Unity. Representatives of the various churches participated in the rite. Various personalities of the French and German civil society were also much in evidence in the front pews of the church (the father of Frère Roger was German, his mother French). What a difference from the crowds in Cologne, but what a symbol! Taizé is undoubtedly a sign of this more discreet church that it making its own advent in Europe: church of reconciliation at the heart of Europe. Who would deny, in spite of the difficulties and the setbacks, that Christian unity is an attainable ideal? Dialogue progresses, reciprocal acceptance is becoming a reality, respect for diversity is conquering hearts. Is not a sufficient demonstration of that the fact that the funeral of a Protestant pastor was being celebrated by a Catholic cardinal? And it will be remembered that, during the funeral of John Paul II, Frère Roger, in his wheel-chair, was one of the first to take communion at the eucharistic celebration. In two different ways, at World Youth Day in Cologne and at Taizé, the Churches are placing as a sign, in this age of de-christianization, a meeting with the young and with their culture. And these two places are not competing against each other, but complementary. Several Brothers of the Taizé Community were in Cologne, where the rhyming prayers that have become so popular on the little hill in Burgundy were often sung. Frère Roger, now you rest like a seed of wheat in the ground. You were able to “discern the signs of the time” and have already brought your harvest, through God’s grace, to this little hill of Taizé: a community of monks, youth jamborees, heart of a world network of prayer and brotherhood. May this sign continue to grow and may your dream of reconciliation between Christians and peoples mobilise the energies of all men and women of good will!