Statement . . .

Brother Roger mourned

Following the death of Brother Roger, the Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell, made the following statement:

"It is with sadness and shock that I heard the news of the tragic death of Brother Roger. He was without doubt a major religious figure who had been influential in many people’s lives. This will be a traumatic and highly distressing time for all who know him.

Brother Roger and everyone involved in the Taizé community are being remembered in our prayers at the cathedral and in churches across the diocese".

The world mourns the death Taizé founder Today tributes having been pouring in for Brother Roger, who founded the community at Taizé, in the Burgundy region of France, during the Second World War when he was just 25.

Brother Roger was stabbed to death during evening prayers on 17 August at his community in France.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: "This is an indescribable shock. Brother Roger was one of the best loved Christian leaders of our time, and hundreds of thousands will be feeling his loss very personally, and remembering him in prayer and gratitude.

"But the shock and trauma for the community at Taizé will be heavy - and it will be for all the young people who witnessed this event. All of them are in our prayers."