12.03.2004
DOCUMENTATION: Statements from Brazilian and Mozambican Lutheran Churches on Murdered Woman Missionary Doraci Edinger
GENEVA, 12 March 2004 (LWI) – News about the February 21 murder of Brazilian woman missionary Doraci Edinger in Nampula, Mozambique, was received with great shock in the Lutheran communion.
Lutheran World Information published a news article March 2, about Edinger’s case: Cf. LWI 2004-023 – "LWF Urges Mozambican Authorities to Expedite Investigation into Murder of Brazilian Lutheran Missionary." LWI received the following additional documentation from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique .
Documentation 1: Statement by IECLB President, Rev. Dr Walter Altmann during a press conference in Porto Alegre, March 3
"1 - I was charged with the task – the most difficult one of my entire life – of accompanying the early stages of the police investigation in Mozambique and ensuring that the necessary measures were taken. I did so in consultation with representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique (ELCM), as well as with those from churches supporting ELCM's work through its Joint Mission Board, from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and Brazilian Embassy in Maputo. I also went with the chief of the investigation department Mr Carlos Manuesse, and Nampula’s official medical examiner to the scene of the crime, to the mortuary, which we requested to arrange for repatriation, to the military hospital, where Sister Doraci's body was being kept, and to the apartment where she lived and where the crime was committed.
2 – I would like to express my deepest condolences and, in a spirit of solidarity, convey my sympathy to the family members. They have not only lost a very dear family member to tragic circumstances, they are suffering as a result of the considerable delays in repatriation of her remains. As soon as I returned, as was appropriate, I paid a visit to her family in my pastoral capacity. The fact that Sister Doraci lost her life in service to the Kingdom of God is of little consolation at the moment, but it will, in time, help to ease the sorrow. By devoting her life to the poorest and most downtrodden of this world, Sister Doraci made a monumental accomplishment. She chose to follow this life-long calling, and she remained strong in her decision to do so, even in the face of danger.
3 – In addition to the IECLB and ELCM, the worldwide Lutheran family and ecumenical sister churches are mourning the death of Sister Doraci. Her murder has also dealt a serious blow to the cause of international solidarity among people. As a sign of support for international solidarity and communio, Ms Ester Antonio Cossa from Maputo, representing the ELCM, and Bishop Clifford M. Molefe from South Africa will attend the *funeral as representatives of the mission board that supports ELCM’s work.
4 – With the permission of the chief of the investigation department, and Nampula’s Public Prosecutor, I took some of Sister Doraci's personal effects with me and passed them on to her family. I also brought a photo report about the work she did in 2003. She had carefully compiled this report for her church, the IECLB, to give to me to take along. We will copy it onto a CD or make it available in some other ways to our congregations. This way, Sister Doraci’s life witness can serve as an inspiration to many others to carry out the gospel mission.
5 – Sister Doraci was brutally murdered between 8.00 and 8.30 am on Saturday, February 21. The investigation at the crime scene and autopsy have provided indications regarding the nature of the crime. Neither robbery nor rape occurred. It appears that Sister Doraci let the murderer into her home without suspecting the person’s intentions, probably because she knew the person. She was killed by three hammer blows to the head.
6 – Since it was determined that neither robbery nor rape occurred, it seems that the actual motive for the murder was to eliminate her. Why? I am convinced that the immediate intention of the murderer or that of the person who ordered her to be killed was to prevent the deaconess from meeting her church president; she had planned to pick me up at the Beira Airport on February 24. The murderer or the person who ordered her to be killed must have known or suspected that she had something very serious to tell me, which, from that person’s point of view, should not have been disclosed. What was Sister Doraci planning to tell me? I don’t know, because we can no longer meet. I hope that the criminal investigation department will be able to bring to light the answer to this question.
7 –The IECLB, the Lutheran World Federation and Brazilian government have demanded a thorough investigation into the crime, its perpetrator and motive. I am convinced that the investigation already underway in Nampula has acquired considerable leads toward shedding light on the crime.
8 –The murder of Sister and missionary Doraci Edinger is the most horrific event that has ever taken place in the life of the IECLB. At the same time, however, although Sister Edinger’s work helping the poor congregations in Mozambique, whom she loved so much, was brought to an abrupt end by her death, her work represents the noblest side of the IECLB’s history. Just like the good shepherd whom she followed, she laid down her life for the sheep entrusted to her care (Jn 10:15)."
(Translated from the original Portuguese.)
Documentation 2: Statement from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique condemns unreservedly the brutal and callous murder of Sister Doraci Julita Edinger in Nampula. As a church we are stunned, saddened and completely paralyzed by this despicable act. We call upon the investigation authorities to leave no stone unturned, until the perpetrators are apprehended, their motive known, and are made to face the full justice of law.
Sister Doraci was really committed to uplifting the lives of the poor people, whom she so much loved and identified with. She was working in the rural areas of Moma, Namina and Cabo-Delgado. To the people there, she was a dear friend and associate. She even built her own hut of the same shape and structure as those of the people among whom she worked. During her visits she would sleep in that hut.
Wherever she went in Moma, Namina and Cabo-Delgado, small children would run up to her and embrace her skirts, and she would bend down to touch each one of them on the head.
The remains of Sister Doraci have been flown to Brazil for burial. The church will be represented by Ms Ester Antonio Cossa, a member of the church council and Bishop Clifford M. Molefe our spiritual adviser, who will represent the Evangelical Lutheran churches in Southern Africa.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Sister Doraci Julita Edinger, to her Order of Sisters and her home church, the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil."
By Dean Hendricks Mavunduse
Acting Pastor
* Deaconess Doraci Edinger was buried on March 6.
DOCUMENTATION: Statements from Brazilian and Mozambican Lutheran Churches on Murdered Woman Missionary Doraci Edinger
GENEVA, 12 March 2004 (LWI) – News about the February 21 murder of Brazilian woman missionary Doraci Edinger in Nampula, Mozambique, was received with great shock in the Lutheran communion.
Lutheran World Information published a news article March 2, about Edinger’s case: Cf. LWI 2004-023 – "LWF Urges Mozambican Authorities to Expedite Investigation into Murder of Brazilian Lutheran Missionary." LWI received the following additional documentation from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique .
Documentation 1: Statement by IECLB President, Rev. Dr Walter Altmann during a press conference in Porto Alegre, March 3
"1 - I was charged with the task – the most difficult one of my entire life – of accompanying the early stages of the police investigation in Mozambique and ensuring that the necessary measures were taken. I did so in consultation with representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique (ELCM), as well as with those from churches supporting ELCM's work through its Joint Mission Board, from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and Brazilian Embassy in Maputo. I also went with the chief of the investigation department Mr Carlos Manuesse, and Nampula’s official medical examiner to the scene of the crime, to the mortuary, which we requested to arrange for repatriation, to the military hospital, where Sister Doraci's body was being kept, and to the apartment where she lived and where the crime was committed.
2 – I would like to express my deepest condolences and, in a spirit of solidarity, convey my sympathy to the family members. They have not only lost a very dear family member to tragic circumstances, they are suffering as a result of the considerable delays in repatriation of her remains. As soon as I returned, as was appropriate, I paid a visit to her family in my pastoral capacity. The fact that Sister Doraci lost her life in service to the Kingdom of God is of little consolation at the moment, but it will, in time, help to ease the sorrow. By devoting her life to the poorest and most downtrodden of this world, Sister Doraci made a monumental accomplishment. She chose to follow this life-long calling, and she remained strong in her decision to do so, even in the face of danger.
3 – In addition to the IECLB and ELCM, the worldwide Lutheran family and ecumenical sister churches are mourning the death of Sister Doraci. Her murder has also dealt a serious blow to the cause of international solidarity among people. As a sign of support for international solidarity and communio, Ms Ester Antonio Cossa from Maputo, representing the ELCM, and Bishop Clifford M. Molefe from South Africa will attend the *funeral as representatives of the mission board that supports ELCM’s work.
4 – With the permission of the chief of the investigation department, and Nampula’s Public Prosecutor, I took some of Sister Doraci's personal effects with me and passed them on to her family. I also brought a photo report about the work she did in 2003. She had carefully compiled this report for her church, the IECLB, to give to me to take along. We will copy it onto a CD or make it available in some other ways to our congregations. This way, Sister Doraci’s life witness can serve as an inspiration to many others to carry out the gospel mission.
5 – Sister Doraci was brutally murdered between 8.00 and 8.30 am on Saturday, February 21. The investigation at the crime scene and autopsy have provided indications regarding the nature of the crime. Neither robbery nor rape occurred. It appears that Sister Doraci let the murderer into her home without suspecting the person’s intentions, probably because she knew the person. She was killed by three hammer blows to the head.
6 – Since it was determined that neither robbery nor rape occurred, it seems that the actual motive for the murder was to eliminate her. Why? I am convinced that the immediate intention of the murderer or that of the person who ordered her to be killed was to prevent the deaconess from meeting her church president; she had planned to pick me up at the Beira Airport on February 24. The murderer or the person who ordered her to be killed must have known or suspected that she had something very serious to tell me, which, from that person’s point of view, should not have been disclosed. What was Sister Doraci planning to tell me? I don’t know, because we can no longer meet. I hope that the criminal investigation department will be able to bring to light the answer to this question.
7 –The IECLB, the Lutheran World Federation and Brazilian government have demanded a thorough investigation into the crime, its perpetrator and motive. I am convinced that the investigation already underway in Nampula has acquired considerable leads toward shedding light on the crime.
8 –The murder of Sister and missionary Doraci Edinger is the most horrific event that has ever taken place in the life of the IECLB. At the same time, however, although Sister Edinger’s work helping the poor congregations in Mozambique, whom she loved so much, was brought to an abrupt end by her death, her work represents the noblest side of the IECLB’s history. Just like the good shepherd whom she followed, she laid down her life for the sheep entrusted to her care (Jn 10:15)."
(Translated from the original Portuguese.)
Documentation 2: Statement from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique condemns unreservedly the brutal and callous murder of Sister Doraci Julita Edinger in Nampula. As a church we are stunned, saddened and completely paralyzed by this despicable act. We call upon the investigation authorities to leave no stone unturned, until the perpetrators are apprehended, their motive known, and are made to face the full justice of law.
Sister Doraci was really committed to uplifting the lives of the poor people, whom she so much loved and identified with. She was working in the rural areas of Moma, Namina and Cabo-Delgado. To the people there, she was a dear friend and associate. She even built her own hut of the same shape and structure as those of the people among whom she worked. During her visits she would sleep in that hut.
Wherever she went in Moma, Namina and Cabo-Delgado, small children would run up to her and embrace her skirts, and she would bend down to touch each one of them on the head.
The remains of Sister Doraci have been flown to Brazil for burial. The church will be represented by Ms Ester Antonio Cossa, a member of the church council and Bishop Clifford M. Molefe our spiritual adviser, who will represent the Evangelical Lutheran churches in Southern Africa.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Sister Doraci Julita Edinger, to her Order of Sisters and her home church, the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil."
By Dean Hendricks Mavunduse
Acting Pastor
* Deaconess Doraci Edinger was buried on March 6.
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