Perspectief 2014-25

2014-25 Legal positioning 27 Reageer The space provided by ecclesial law for ecumenical encounters involving the Eucharist is very limited. The document that forms the foundation of later legislation and directions, Redintegratio Unitatis , in general forbids worship in common. Only in exceptional cases permission to shared prayer and table communion may be granted. The fact that the Taizé community de facto is granted this space, points out that apparently this is such an exceptional case. Ecclesial law first and foremost has ecumenical encounters between different Churches in mind. Taizé is not a Church, but a community of men that aim for reconciliation amongst themselves. This might be one reason to treat the community with special consideration. The personal relations between the community and ecclesial author ities, local and universal, have been crucial for answering the juridical questions about the Taizé practice. A special role is played by brother Roger, the founder of the community. His personal relations with the local Bishops and the Popes has led to a mutual understanding and recognition. Clearly, these authorities have judged brother Roger to be in (nearly) full communion with the Catholic Church, reason not to deny him holy communion. Without this relation built on trust, it is hardly imaginable that the community would have had the position it now enjoys. The most explicit sign of approval of the community’s practice is delivered by the ordination of some brothers to the priesthood. Especially this act legitimates the practice. Another sign was delivered by Cardinal Kasper presiding over brother Roger’s funeral mass at the Church of Reconciliation. This is however more likely to be interpreted as honoring the person and ideals of brother Roger than as an official ‘green light’ for the regular practice of the community. Approval is granted in a more implicit way, by fostering close relations, praising the initiative of the brothers, and by abstaining from disciplinary actions against (members of) the community. Pope Benedict XVI, addressing the community and its visitors, rather stressed the spiritual ecumenism performed than acknowledging the full table community that already exists at least within the brotherhood. I interpret this as a signal that the Church does not disapprove of the current practice, but neither wants to promote it as a model of ecumenical encounter