USA: Meeting in ChicagoTo our friends in Japan,
With all our brothers, both in Taizé and in the fraternities, we share in the ordeal that has struck Japan, for you know how much your country is dear to us. Our hearts suffer and weep with those who are suffering.
When we are bewildered by the incomprehensible suffering of the innocent, we wish to be witnesses to the compassion of God, and through our prayer we wish to support you in your grief; you, your families, the Churches in Japan, so many young people that we know, and all the people of your country.
Right from the first day, in the church in Taizé, we have confided to God all the victims of the earthquake, and in church today I said this prayer: “Christ Jesus, we wish to remain close to you and to confide to you the sorrow of all those who know human suffering on the earth. We pray to you for the victims of the earthquake and the tsunami in Japan; we confide to you those close to us and our friends who live in this country in its distress. On all of them, we invoke your presence of compassion.”
I remain very fraternally close to each one of you.
Brother Alois
Prior of Taizé