” “"Dismay" and the certainty that "all the people taking part in the WYD will pray for the great loss of Frère Roger". These are the first reactions in Cologne, where the XX World Youth Day is taking place, at the news of the killing of frère Roger, the founder of the Ecumenical Community of Taizé. Frère Roger was assaulted last night at 8.30 pm, during the evening prayer in the Church of the Reconciliation, attended by about 2,500 people. Due to the seriousness of the injuries he had suffered, he died a short while later, despite the quick aids. "We express our deep sympathy declared Heiner Koch, Secretary General of the XX WYD to the community of Taizé and above all to the brethrens who organised the Spiritual Centre of the WYD in the basilica of Bonn and in the Church of Saint Agnes in Cologne. Frère Roger has always been deeply attached to the Catholic Church. Not long ago, we had been happy about his coming to the funeral of John Paul II. Now he has gone back to the Father. There is deep sadness. But the hope in resurrection is deeper still". Frère Roger was 90 years old; in 1940, he had founded the International Ecumenical Community of Taizé, in southern Burgundy, France. Currently, the community includes about one hundred Catholic and Protestant brethrens from over twenty-five different countries.
