Perspectief 2014-25

2014-25 Description of the practice 19 Reageer 2.3 Conclusions The Taizé community is not another alternative to existing Churches, but a monastic community of men from different Christian denominations. It was founded in 1942 by Roger Schutz, a Swiss Protestant, who longed deeply for reconciliation amongst Christians. The community started out as a mixed Protestant community. Already since the 1950’s it attracted many, predominantly young visitors. Thus Taizé became not only a centre of ecumenical encounter, but also a significant centre of evangelization and revitalization of faith. According to brother Roger’s principle of dynamics of the provisional, the community embraced this unanticipated situation. Although personal relationships were already growing, contacts with the Catholic Church were few and reserved, since the Catholic Church was not yet involved in the ecumenical movement. This attitude changed dramatically with Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s. In 1972 the first Catholic entered the community. On that occasion, Bishop Le Bourgeois of Autun for the first time gave communion to brother Roger and the community. In this period, marked by great optimism that full ecclesial unity would soon be achieved, permission was granted to celebrate Roman Catholic mass in the community. Ever since Catholic mass is the dominant form of worship in the community. Today, mass is celebrated every morning. In the morning prayer, the brothers all receive communion, along with the Catholics visiting Taizé. Summit of the week is Sunday mass, celebrated within the morning prayer. Non Catholic visitors are offered alternatives, like bread from an earlier celebrated Protestant holy Supper or blessed bread. Occasionally, also Orthodox mass is celebrated. Different rites are never celebrated in the same service. Without having empirical data to confirm this presumption, I can reasonably assume that some non Catholic visitors do receive communion during the morning prayers.