Dorothy Stang
Shot for justice for these people
She didn’t know

Dorothy Stang
Knew she was doing right
Took out her bible
Fought her last fight

Dorothy Stang
Always remembered
For the things she did
And her last right

Dorothy Stang
She finally met her hero
God

Dorothy Stang
Religion and Justice

Where was Dorothy born?
Sister Dorothy was born in Dayton, Ohio
When did she become a nun?
When Sister Dorothy was a junior in High School she entered the
convent. The year was 1948 and she was 17 years old.
What compelled her to do all this?
Dorothy’s mother and father taught her to love the poor people and to
love and take care of the land. She belonged to the Mission Club in High
School and learned about people in other lands through the club. She also
belonged to a Young Christian Students Club where she studied the Bible
and learned how to pray, meditate and care for God’s people. She loved
poor people and saw the many injustices that oppressed them. She wanted
to work with the poor in the most abandoned places just as St. Julie had
done.
Where is the rainforest?
There are many rainforests throughout the world. However the largest is
in South America – The Amazon Rainforest- where most of it is in North
Brazil but it is also in Equador, Peru and other countries in South
America.
How long did Sister Dorothy live in the rainforest?
Sister Dorothy went to Brazil in 1966 to work in the Northeast in the
state of Maranhão. In 1974 she moved to the rainforest to work with the
people who had moved there from Maranhão and other states.
How long did she live there before she was killed?
She lived there from 1974 to 2005 – 31 years.
How many people live in the rainforest?
That is a difficult question to answer since there are many native
Brazilian tribes who live in the forest. In one region alone there are
over 33,700 families.
How many people did she help when she was out there and in what ways did
she help tem?
This is another difficult question. She built and started 39 schools,
chapels and Centers. She sent several young people to agricultural school
so they could become technicians and teach the people sustainable farming,
She opened several Women’s Centers to teach women health care, sewing,
gardening, child care, etc. It is amazing what she was able to do.
What did Dorothy Stang do to help the people in the rainforest? Did she
get food for them and clothes? Was she like a mum to them?
Besides what I have already written, she taught the farmers how to work
together and how to farm without ruining the forest. This is called
sustainable farming. She taught religion and preparation for the
Sacraments. She taught whatever was needed to help the people better
their lives. She helped them get the deeds to their land and many other
things. She gave out food and clothing only in emergencies. The people
saw her as a mum but more as an angel in their midst. Someone who read
what she had accomplished couldn’t believe that one person could have done
so much.
Did the people of the rainforest rebel?
The people of the rainforest live in fear for their lives. They usually
do not rebel. Only once that I know of they blocked the Transamazon
Highway for several days because the government would not fix the road.
They won.
When did Dorothy get shot?
Sister Dorothy was shot on February 12, 2005 as she was walking through
the forest to a meeting with the farmers. Her assassins stepped out in
front of her and argued with her, then, one took out a revolver and aimed
it at her. She took out her Bible and read the Beatitudes. When she
read, “Blessed are the peacemakers…… “ Raifran shot her then after she
fell, he stood over her and shot her 5 more times.
When did Dorothy Stang die? I think it was bad that someone shot her
because of the good work she did.
She died immediately and lay there on the ground for 6 or 7 hours while
someone went back to the town, 60 K away, to get help. Yes, it was bad
that she was shot but the illegal ranchers and loggers hated her for
defending the poor people. The two assassins really didn’t know her.
They did it for the money – which they never received.
Were the assassins ever caught?
Yes, the two assassins were caught a few days later and then the man who
hired them was caught. The two ranchers who offered the money to kill her
were also caught. The two assassins, the intermediary and one rancher
have been tried and are in jail. The other rancher has not had his trial
as yet. However, in Brazil, if someone gets a sentence of more than 20
years, they can have a second trial. Raifran received 27 years so he gets
another trial and one of the ranchers get 30 years and he gets another
trial. Both should take place in 2008.
Was she made a saint?
Officially she has not been declared a saint by the church, However, she
is considered a martyr and is on the list of martyrs in the Vatican. It
takes a long time to declare someone a saint.
Do you believe what she did was right?
Yes, I do. I knew Sister Dorothy very well and she truly loved the poor
people and devoted her life to them. She lived the message of the Bible
and was a true follower of Christ. She was willing to give up her one and
only life for the people and their freedom and dignity as children of God.
She lived what she believed. Not too many today do that.
Did she ever tell you what it was like in the rainforest? If she did,
what was it like?
Yes, she used to talk about the beauty of the rainforest and she loved it.
I was there and know that all she said about it was true. To see the
majestic trees, the animals of all kinds running through the forest, hear
the birds sing and see their wonderful colors as they soar through the
sky. One of the most impressive sights is the pure blue sky, brilliant
during the day and dark with shinning stars at night. One can’t help but
thank God for all its beauty.
The people love the rainforest also, even though they live very poorly.
They want to take care of it and nurture it and not destroy it for money.

The forest that once stod
where sandstorms blow today

The forest big and strong
where now desert lies like hell

If you hear this storry
you might ask ,”who did that?”

The answer isn’t easy
for we all carry the gylt

We destroyed the forest
so beautiful and wild

by: Alexander Debus

Sister Dorothy Stang
Always would lend a hand.
She fought hard against
Those destroying the land.

It was very clear
That she was very brave;
She’ll always be remembered
For the lives she was able to save.

She was a sister
Who had a lot of pride,
And even in the dark
She found the bright side.

Ever since she was killed
The world will never be the same.
She was truly and sincerely
A Sister of Notre Dame.

By: Patrick Schiess

Is there anyone out there
Loving enough to risk their life
To help poor people find safe places to live
Like Sister Dorothy Stang?

Is there anyone out there
Fearless enough to
Not be afraid to be on a death list
Like Sister Dorothy Stang?

Is there anyone out there
Willing enough to give up running water, electricity, and a house
To do what they know is right
Like Sister Dorothy Stang?

Is there anyone out there
Brave enough,
Loving enough,
Fearless enough, and
Willing enough to fill
Sister Dorothy Stang’s shoes?

By: Meredith Schertzinger