Statement by the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy, on the death of Brother Roger Schutz

17 Aug 2005

Press Release

17 August 2005

Statement by the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy,

on the death of Brother Roger Schutz

 
 “On behalf of my brother bishops, I wish to express our great sadness and
shock at the death of Brother Roger during a prayer service in Taizé, France.
 
“Although he died as a result of a violent attack, his life was one of complete
commitment to a peaceful and united world.  This was never more evident than
when he was joined daily, by thousands of young people of different faiths,
themselves searching for that vision.
 
“Brother Roger was one of the great religious figures of the 20th century.  
His legacy will continue to live in the music associated with Taizé, in the
many local prayer groups in Ireland and across the world which have taken
Taizé as their model, but most of all in his unique vision of a united and
reconciled world.
 
“It was a mark of the high regard in which he was held by the Catholic Church
that Brother Roger enjoyed a close relationship with all of the recent Popes.  
He received Holy Communion from Pope Benedict XVI at his installation in April
2005.”
 
Bishop Duffy concluded, “May he now enjoy, for eternity, the peace and intimacy
with God which so marked his earthly life.”
 
Notes for Editors:
Bishop Joseph Duffy is Chairman of the Irish Bishops’ Conference Commission on
Communications.

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)