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Brother Alois met with World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, and also met with leaders from the Lutheran World Federation. Brother Alois offered an update on the Taizé project “Together: Gathering of the People of God,” and discussed how to involve youth from across the world.
Pillay offered words of welcome to the young people, who then received an introduction to the WCC by visiting in stations to learn about the WCC’s work related to ecumenism, Faith and Order, ecological justice, overcoming racism, and mission from the margins.
Brother Alois concluded the visit by offering an address that reflected in part on the path of hope for young people and all people of good will.
Brother Alois expressed thanks for the welcome of the WCC and “for the will to open up young people to ecumenism and the future of Christian unity—it’s very important,” he said. “So I’m glad about the welcome and I’m sure that this was just a station of our common pilgrimage in faith that we want to continue in Taizé and the WCC.”
Brother Alois also reflected that, in coming to Geneva, the Taizé community was returning to its roots. “The first brothers came from Switzerland and from Geneva,” he said. In fact, Brother Roger, the Swiss Protestant theologian who in 1940 founded Taize, lived in Geneva for two years when France was occupied by Germany. “So for us it’s coming back also to the roots, and to show to the young volunteers these places that are historical for us,” he added.
In concluding, he asked for the prayers of the WCC global fellowship. “Pray that the search for Christian unity will remain alive,” he said.
Brother Alois: Faith in Christ means strengthening unity (WCC interview, 21 December 2021)
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Young people from the Taizé Community at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.
Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC
