Through reports published in the press, the Taizé Community has learned that a former brother has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence for possessing images of child pornography. According to the same source of information, this is the brother who was accused of rape and sexual assault in October 2019 and who has not been a member of the Community since spring 2020 (see the notes updated in October 2019 and June 2020).

Brother Matthew, prior of Taizé, reacts: “We were very surprised when we learned of this conviction as we were not aware of this part of the judicial investigation. On this occasion, I can only reiterate the commitment we have made for Taizé to be a safe place for everyone, both within the community and in the international youth meetings. We owe it to the victims who have had the courage to speak out about what they have suffered; we also owe it to all those for whom Taizé is an important place in their lives and in their faith.”

Among the articles relaying this news, see here in French and in English. If you feel affected by this information, please do not hesitate to contact the community using the form below or the external ‘Reception and monitoring team’ at [email protected].