Peace and Dialogue (Junior Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
An Organisation Promoting Justice and Peace: Taizé
What is Taizé?
Taizé is a well-known religious organisation that works to promote justice, peace and reconciliation within the Christian religion. This important religious community is based in France and serves as a place where all members of the Christian faith can focus on God and the important Christian values of justice, peace and reconciliation.
The community brings together Christians from different backgrounds and traditions, creating a space where people can live out their faith through practical action and prayer.
Taizé represents a unique approach to Christian community life, where theological differences between denominations take a back seat to shared faith and common service to others.
Brother Roger - the founder
Taizé was founded by a man called Roger Schutz, who became known as Brother Roger. His personal journey and experiences during difficult times in European history shaped the vision that would become Taizé.
Roger Schutz's early life
Brother Roger was born in Switzerland in 1915, where his father worked as a Protestant minister. In the early 1930s, Roger became seriously ill with tuberculosis, a dangerous infectious disease that affects the lungs. During his recovery period, he felt a strong calling to create a community dedicated to serving others.
In 1940, at just 25 years old, Roger left his home in Switzerland and moved to France to begin this work.
World War II and the beginnings of Taizé
When World War II began in 1939, Brother Roger recognised the urgent need to help people suffering during this terrible conflict. He was particularly motivated by his grandmother's experience during World War I, which had shown him the importance of offering practical help to those in need.
Brother Roger chose to settle in the small village of Taizé in France. This location was strategically important because it was situated near what was called the demarcation line, which divided France into two zones during the war. The area north and west of this line was occupied by German troops, whilst Taizé was located in the unoccupied 'Free Zone'.
The strategic positioning of Taizé near the demarcation line was crucial to Brother Roger's mission during WWII. This location allowed him to provide sanctuary to refugees fleeing from Nazi-occupied territories while remaining in the relatively safer 'Free Zone' of France.
This positioning made the small village an ideal place to shelter refugees - people fleeing from the dangers of war. Brother Roger purchased a house that had been empty for several years and, with help from his sister Genevieve, began offering shelter to those escaping the conflict.
The conditions were basic - there was no running water and food was scarce - but Brother Roger was committed to providing what help he could. He would often pray alone to ensure that none of the refugees felt uncomfortable or unwelcome, regardless of their own religious background.
Exile to Geneva
By 1942, Brother Roger's activities helping refugees had been discovered by the Gestapo (the German secret police). Recognising the danger this posed, Brother Roger and his sister were warned and had to flee to Geneva for their own safety. They remained in exile there until 1944, when it was safe to return to Taizé.
The aftermath of the war - community growth
When the war ended in 1945, a small group of brothers returned to Taizé with a new focus. They decided to care for children who had lost their families during the war, showing how their mission of service continued to respond to the needs of the time.
Brother Roger asked his sister Genevieve to return and help establish this new phase of their work. As the years progressed, other young men were drawn to join the community and committed themselves to this way of life.
The founding vision of Taizé
Brother Roger developed a clear founding vision that led to the establishment of a particular way of life, which the community continues to follow today. This founding vision centred on helping those in need and living life according to specific principles that would make community life possible.
Brother Roger wrote what became known as the common rule for Taizé, described as "the essential that makes the common life possible". This rule emphasised the importance of living simply and focusing on what truly matters.
In 1949, the first group of brothers made formal vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Brother Roger was elected as the first prior (leader) of the community and it was at this point that he became widely known by the title Brother Roger.
Taizé today
Since the late 1950s, Taizé has become a significant place of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world. The community's focus remains on living a life centred on God whilst serving as an example of peace and trust in the world.
Young people particularly are drawn to Taizé, seeking ways to live according to the example of Jesus Christ. The community offers these visitors the opportunity to experience the simple life of the brothers and participate in their daily routine, with prayer serving as a central element that allows people to reflect on their own lives and aspirations.
Today, Taizé operates as an oecumenical monastic community. Ecumenism is a movement that promotes greater understanding and unity among different Christian traditions. The community works to encourage understanding and cooperation at local, national and international levels.
The term "oecumenical" comes from the Greek word "oikoumene," meaning "the whole inhabited world." In Christian contexts, it refers to efforts to promote unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations.
Justice, peace and reconciliation in practice
There are currently over 100 brothers living in Taizé - both Catholics and Protestants - representing many different countries. This diversity demonstrates the community's role in symbolising reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples.
The brothers live simple lives focused on prayer and do not accept donations or inheritances for themselves, instead committing everything to helping the poor. Through their lifestyle, they aim to show how peace and unity can become part of people's lives by following the example of Jesus Christ. Their hope is that by living out a life faithful to the values of Jesus Christ, they will serve as an example for others to follow.
Daily activities at Taizé
Several practical activities take place daily at Taizé to promote justice, peace and reconciliation:
- Daily prayer involving members of all three main Christian denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox)
- Meditative chants that have become known as Taizé music
- Bible study groups where Christians from different denominations work together to discuss the meaning of different Bible stories
- Practical service such as preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals
- Community meals where thousands of people gather together
These activities provide real examples of practical dialogue and cooperation between the three main Christian denominations.
The famous Taizé chants are simple, repetitive songs that can be easily learned and sung by people from different linguistic backgrounds, making them accessible to the international community that gathers at Taizé.
The death of Brother Roger
Brother Roger died on 16 August 2005, at the age of 90. Tragically, he was killed by a troubled person during evening prayer. Following his death, he was succeeded by a German brother called Brother Alois.
The community remains committed to following Brother Roger's example and continues to live out their dedication to justice, peace and reconciliation. They continue helping those in need and work to promote understanding between different Christian traditions by working alongside people from various backgrounds.
Key Points to Remember:
- Taizé is a religious community in France founded by Brother Roger Schutz during World War II
- The community's core values are justice, peace and reconciliation
- Ecumenism means bringing together different Christian denominations to work in unity
- Taizé began by helping refugees during WWII and continues to serve those in need today
- The community serves as a place of pilgrimage where young Christians can experience simple community life focused on prayer and service