According to several journalists who worked independently on Opus Dei accusations of secrecy come from a clericalist mentality which equates Opus Dei members with monks and priests, the traditional symbols of holiness who are externally identifiable as such. Detractors argue that, given Opus Dei's strong defence of traditional Roman Catholic positions in social and moral matters, especially in regards to pro-life and marriage, membership of the organisation is indeed relevant to exercising functions in the public domain.
In addition, Opus Dei states that it is a non-political organisation and does not direct or try to influence its members in any way in the fulfillment of their professional duties, whether in the public or private sphere, except where such activities impinge on their duties as Roman Catholics.
For the most part, Opus Dei members belong to the low and middle class in terms of income, social status and education. Most supernumeraries are living ordinary middle-class lives. He later became the first Senate President of Spain's democracy.
Josemaria Escriva. Religion Wiki Explore. Religion portals. Sunni Islam Shia Islam. I thought that by reading them I could better understand Opus Dei and lay to rest some misconceptions. He gave me a copy of the statutes. Could I have a copy of the English translation? There was none, he said. Why not? First he said that Opus Dei had not had sufficient time to translate them. I replied that this seemed odd, given that the statutes had been around for 12 years and that The Way had already been translated into 38 languages.
When I pressed him, he provided a second explanation, and I was reminded of the comment about peeling an onion. The Holy See wants them in Latin. But how could English-speaking members study their own statutes?
The members study them in depth, he explained. Opus Dei member James Gabriel seconded this, explaining that the statutes were also available in Spanish. Nevertheless, it still seemed odd, so I asked Mr.
Schmitt again. I asked three experts in canon law what that reason might be. Richard Hill, S. So it appears to be Opus Dei, not the Holy See, that is keeping the statutes from being translated. She was not surprised when I told her of my difficulty in making sense of all this. They are mentioned but not discussed. Schweninger, the only official document available is the catechism of Opus Dei, which even members can read only with the permission of the house director.
Opus Dei members frequently mention that they feel unfairly maligned. I asked Bill Schmitt if this might be partially a result of misunderstanding about the privacy they insist on. We have an institutional barrier to that. To encounter Opus Dei is to encounter dedicated, energetic Catholics engaged in a variety of occupations. It is also to encounter a sometimes bewildering array of priests, numeraries, supernumeraries, cooperators, associates, directors and administrators.
Opus Dei describes the various types of membership as different levels of availability for their mission. Critics maintain that Opus Dei, with its emphasis on hierarchy as well as celibacy and obedience, merely replicates religious life while professing lay spirituality. Numeraries also attend summer classes on Opus Dei. There are separate centers for men and women, each with a director. Male numeraries are encouraged to consider ordination to the priesthood. Most members are supernumeraries , married persons who contribute financially and sometimes serve in corporate works like schools.
Opus Dei also includes the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross , an association of diocesan priests who receive the spiritual help that Opus Dei provides. They remain incardinated in their own dioceses. Numeraries or associates who are ordained priests also become members of this society. Many of those in authority are clerics—the director of their national headquarters in New Rochelle, N.
Another common criticism is that men and women numeraries are separated not only in housing but even in work. They do things that they have to do and we do what we have to do.
When the women arrive to clean, they explained, the men vacate so as not to come in contact with the women. I asked Bill Schmitt if women had a problem with this. Not at all. The women more often than not hire others to do the cooking and cleaning. Women are told that it is important to have a love for things of the home and domestic duties. So nobody refuses. For numeraries living in the centers, mail—incoming and outgoing—is read by the director. But for most numeraries this is not a problem.
Opus Dei contends that their distinct brand of spirituality fills a need in society and that, as a result, Americans are naturally attracted to it. Others disagree, speaking of overly aggressive recruiting tactics. After Mass one day he was approached by another student, with whom he soon became good friends. He was not certain exactly what it was.
Soon afterwards Opus Dei suggested that he take one of the priests at the center as his spiritual director. After becoming more involved—at this point meeting with the group frequently—he decided to investigate on his own.
I felt very indignant. At the next circle meeting he raised some questions about issues that troubled him—for example, women and minority presence in Opus Dei. I was totally cut off. According to two former numeraries, if this man had stayed in the circle Opus Dei would have confronted him with a decision to join. Tammy DiNicola talked about her experience.
Why is it a crisis? I asked if they were surprised at hearing that the man at Columbia had been cut off by his friend. Opus Dei looks at it differently, stressing the fact that any relationships are entered into freely. Jim Gabriel agreed. Opus Dei is an increasingly strong presence on U.
Traditionally, their efforts to attract new members has led them to colleges and universities. And it has sometimes led them into conflict with other groups. Donald R. What was he hearing about Opus Dei from his members? I thought this was odd—I was required to do it for class!
What I worry about is the cult-like behavior, isolation from friends—and students talk about it. The director of campus ministry at Stanford University from through , Russell J. Roide, S. The allegations of secrecy and aggressive recruiting tactics are more often than not attributed to misinterpretations of the way Opus Dei was viewed in the past - the existing organisation has taken great pains to present itself in a more moderate way.
It has been suggested that Opus Dei has a wealth of important and powerful members in both the religious and the political spheres. However, Opus Dei does not publish official lists of members, believing membership is a private matter.
The influence of Opus Dei in the Holy See has been exaggerated. An Opus Dei member in the British government attracted questions in May Questions were raised over Ruth Kelly's suitability for the role of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government; however, she insisted as a practising Catholic her faith would not influence decisions she needs to make for her job.
Asked if she thought homosexuality was a sin, Ruth Kelly stated: "I don't think it's right for politicians to start making moral judgements about people.
That's the last thing I would want to do. What I think the question is, is what are my political views and as a politician those are the ones I'm accountable for to the public.
As a politician I think anybody should be free from discrimination and I'll fight to the absolute end to make sure that is the case. His vision is to extend the Sunday religiosity of working people into their everyday lives. He is initially seen as a heretic by the church hierarchy. It states: "No one must reveal to anyone that they themselves belong to Opus Dei. Thousands of supporters pack St Peter's Square for the canonisation. A website competition offers the chance to meet a genuine Opus Dei member.
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