Perspectives on Taizé
Originally German, but holding French nationality since 1984, Brother Alois was born on 11 June 1954 in Bavaria and he grew up in Stuttgart. He is a Catholic. His parents were born and grew up in what was then Czechoslovakia.
After visiting Taizé several times, he spent some time there as a volunteer helper before receiving the Community’s prayer robe in 1974. He has always lived in Taizé since then.
As a volunteer, then as a brother, he made many visits to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to support the Christians there, at a time when the region was under Soviet influence.
Following the Rule of Taizé that he had published in 1953, Brother Roger designated him, with the consent of the brothers, as his successor during the Community’s council in January 1998. He had already chosen him discreetly in 1978. Wearied by the weight of years, Brother Roger informed the Community in January 2005 that Brother Alois would be taking up his ministry within the year.
In recent years, Brother Alois has co-ordinated the organization of the international meetings at Taizé and the European meetings held in various major cities of Europe.
Particularly interested in music and the liturgy, he has also always devoted much of his time to listening to and accompanying young people.
- In Rome, audience with Pope Benedict XVI
During the first months of his new ministry, Brother Alois, accompanied by other brothers, went to make visits: to Pope Benedict XVI, to Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, to the World Council of Churches meeting at Porto Alegre (Brazil), to Orthodox Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow, and to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
- In Constantinople, with Patriarch Bartholomew I
“By these visits I would like to show that with the brothers we are seeking passionately communion between Christians. In Taizé we want to contribute to giving greater visibility to the communion which, in Christ, already exists between all who are baptised.”
- In Moscow, visit to Patriarch Alexis II
Brother Alois also began making visits to the brothers who are living in small fraternities around the world, often among the very poor, in Brazil, in Bangladesh, Senegal and Korea.
The international young adults meetings continue each week in Taizé, as does the European meeting at the end of each year in a major city of the continent. Moreover, to enlarge the “pilgrimage of trust” begun by Brother Roger over twenty five years ago and to give it new dimensions, meetings are planned in Asia, South America and Africa.
Brother Alois explains, “The afternoon of the day he died, Brother Roger uttered some words that remain like a testament: ‘In the measure that our community creates in the human family possibilities for broadening out… ’ And he stopped, too weary to finish his sentence. What did he mean by ‘broadening out’? He probably wanted to say: do everything to render more perceptible for each person the love that God has for all human beings without exception, for all peoples. He wished that our little community – through its life and its humble commitment with others - might manifest this mystery. So we brothers would like to take up this challenge, with all those who across the earth are seeking peace.