"May God bless you in your ministry so that you may continue to be a blessing to others," wrote LWF General Secretary Burghardt to Brother Matthew, who was installed as the new prior of Taizé on the first Sunday of Advent.
Brother Matthew, civil name Andrew Thorpe, comes from England and has an Anglican background. Photo: Atéliers et Presses de Taizé/ Tamino Petelinsek
A community that continually gives hope through prayer and presence
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has welcomed the Brother Matthew, the new Prior of the Taizé Community. He took office on the first of Sunday Advent. Brother Matthew takes over leadership from Brother Alois who led the community for 18 years.
"We are grateful to God for your appointment,” wrote LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, in a letter to the new prior, adding that the LWF holds the Community of Taizé and him particular in prayer. “As a Community, you continually give hope to the young and not so young, through your communal prayer and humble presence you open doors to reconciliation, living a parable of communion.”
Through your communal prayer and humble presence, you open doors to reconciliation.
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary
Burghardt also expressed appreciation for the "steady witness" of Brother Alois, who had taken over leadership of the community after the violent death of its founder, Brother Roger, in 2005.
The ecumenical Taizé Community was founded in 1940 and consists of 90 brothers. Besides its home in the Burgundian village of Taizé, near Cluny, France, it has fraternities all over the world. It is known primarily for its commitment to reconciliation, its ecumenical spirituality, its welcome of all especially providing a space for young people, and its renewal of daily prayer shaped by simple chants in many languages. Tens of thousands visit the community yearly or join the international youth meetings at the end of the year.
The Taizé community has worked with the LWF numerous times, most recently at the Ecumenical Vigil that opened the Catholic Church Synod in October 2023. The Global Young Reformer's Network has visited the community in France. The Taizé community also crafted pottery items, including communion sets, glazed with sand from refugee camps where LWF works.
