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The Taize Movement .A New !

In recent decades, prayers, issues which might bring division. songs, and practices from the Cardinal Walter Kaspar, a close French Taize movement have friend of Roger, been incorporated into parish commented the Taize prayer life. Even Pope Benedict XVI movement: has given a remark that “these days the songs of Taize are “ The search for unity for ( Brother filling the basilicas of ”. Roger) a kind of guideline in even Since the founding of the community in the most concrete decision of each day: to , Taize has been held as a model welcome joyfully any action that could of the modern movement with its focus on bring Christians of different traditions understanding of the unity among closer, to avoid every word or act that Christians and avoiding further division could slow down their reconciliation.” among the Christian churches and ! communities. The Taize Movement has been endorsed by many popes. St. John XXIII described The Taize Movement was founded by it as “ little springtime” whereas St. John Brother Roger Schutz (1915- 2005) has Paul II named it as a “spring of water” and been praised by many anteceding popes a kind of experimental model for the new and Christian leaders. As a result, songs ecumenism. The latter pontiff, a friend of and ideas of the Taize community have Brother Roger, personally visited Taize been introduced into parishes for during his pontificate. He stated that the nourishing spirituality and promoting Taize community manifested its ecumenism. commitment to dialogue and its spirit of openness. Benedict XVI has also praised What is the Taize movement? The Taize for exemplifying a “ spiritually lived movement is an ecumenical monastic ecumenism”: community founded after World War II by Brother Roger Schutz who was a “ Let ourselves be guided by his witness Protestant with strong commitment towards an ecumenism which is truly towards the full reconciliation of all interiorized and spiritualized...may all of Christians. He established his small you be bearers of this message of unity.” spiritual community for his followers in the village of Taize, France. From there, the The supports Taize for it community members began an introduces a broader “new ecumenism” ecumenical movement gear to Christians that replaces the traditional model of of all traditions, aimed at working towards “shared faith experiences”. For those a full unity of all Christians and a spiritual Taize participants, the style of the prayer commitment to Christ. The ecumenism is not the most crucial element. Only the provoked by Brother Roger and his aim – reconciliation in God and unity community has been focusing on the core among Christians, is the most significant areas of Christians and undermining the aspect of the entire movement. 3 2015 Mar/Apr