Taize founder wrote about death shortly before fatal stabbing

Published: 2005-12-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a message prepared shortly before he was fatally stabbed, Brother Roger Schutz spoke about the special suffering caused by the death of inspirational figures. Rather than lose heart at such a loss, he said, believers should try to use it as an opportunity to understand God's healing powers. Brother Roger, the renowned founder of the ecumenical monastic community of Taize, France, was killed during a prayer service by a deranged woman last August. His death shocked and saddened Christians around the world. Brother Roger's unfinished last message, intended to be read at a meeting of European youths in Milan, Italy, at the end of December, was published by the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Dec. 21. It was also made available in several languages on the Taize community Web site.

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