Please find below the unabridged text of the message sent by mgr. Jean Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux and president of the French Bishops Conference, to the Community of Taizé as soon as he learnt of the tragic death of frère Rogert Shütz, which occurred last night. "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of frère Roger, the founder of your community and our father and brother in faith. He, so sweet, ended his journey on earth as a victim of violence. What a mystery … He, who with all of you has so often met young people from all over the world to teach them, in the name of Christ risen from the dead, to bear witness to the transforming power of love offered, arrives near the Father of mercy while the WYD of Cologne is taking place. What a proof and what a message … As the President of the Bishops Conference, I cannot forget with what brotherly faithfulness, after the Second Vatican Council and without ever missing a date, he used to write to the French bishops before any plenary meeting in Lourdes. His message was always eagerly awaited and welcomed with ardour. Tonight it’s too late to recall as he deserves this great figure of a seeker and a witness of God, keen on the unity of Christians and reconciliation. With you, I thank God for the strength of his proof and his patient perseverance in making Taizé a source of hope for many poor people all over the world. For you, I ask for peace in the ordeal and the strength to walk on".
