Dear Friends,

Since I regularly receive calls to sign a petition or a joint statement on various subjects, I would like to explain why, after reflection, I maintain the position that was already taken by Brother Roger, the founder of our Taizé Community: never to sign any public letter or petition.

Of course, this sometimes prevents us from publicly supporting causes that are dear to us, and it is often with regret that we give a negative response. Some of the issues that are submitted for our reflection are at the heart of our concerns in Taizé and we can only hope that these appeals will be heard.

But how can we accept certain proposals and refuse others, especially when they are proposed to us by people who are close to us and who willingly come to Taizé? So I always prefer to abstain.

If we do not sign an open letter, it is above all because our monastic vocation requires of us a certain reserve.

In keeping with the tradition of hospitality, we welcome many visitors who naturally think differently from one another on essential matters. Being a place where people with the most diverse outlooks feel welcome is a precious heritage that Brother Roger left us and that we must preserve.

We carry in our prayer many of the situations entrusted to us: this will always be our specific and fundamental way of supporting the commitment of those who approach us.

With brotherly regards

Brother Alois