"I was deeply shocked as I learnt of the sad news of the assassination of frère Roger Schütz. He, for whom the beatitude applies: "Blessed the builders of peace", ended his life with a violent death. We wish to express our deep sympathy to the community of Taizé, reassuring them of our prayer for Roger Schütz, so that he may join the eternal community of the living God and so that what he did on earth may keep working with the support and the protection of God". This is the statement made by cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, where the XX WYD is taking place, on the tragic death of the founder of the International Ecumenical Community of Taizè. "The young people from 193 countries who have met in Cologne will pray God ensures cardinal Meisner for this witness of the Gospel, interceding for him with great gratitude and sadness. After the catechesis and the Mass, I will visit the Church of Saint Agnes in Cologne, where the Community of Taizé has set up a spiritual centre during the WYD, to personally express my sympathy".
