Opus Dei - tell us what you think you know

[hedgehog]

I object to Opus Die on several grounds:

1. It seems to support a return to some of the worst distortions of our faith such as contempt for the body as evidenced by harsh treatment, subservience of women, subservience to authority rather than development of conscience, contempt for the world.

2. The existence of a secret society within the Church harms the Church by undercutting trust among the members.

3. It appears to sponsor a notion of a "real" Church just waiting to emerge and return to Pre-Vatican II norms as defined by Opus Dei.

A personal note: about a dozen years ago friends invited us to meet with a visiting priest "in personal service" to the Pope. The implication was that this priest's order was obeying the pope while the local bishop wasn't. We declined the invitation.The friends ended up sending their sons, 10 and 12, away to a foreign seminary where the young men grew up isolated from family and all contact with females. One son has decided to reconsider his vocation, the other is still on track to ordination. How can it be good for the Church or individual to force young boys into the priesthood this way? I'm pretty sure this group wasn't Opus Dei but rather a similar organization.

[CBHagman]

1. I didn't hear of Opus Dei until about 15 years ago.

Despite having been born into a Catholic family, I had no exposure at all to Opus Dei, let alone any knowledge of it, until about 15 years ago. Since then I have met some members of Opus Dei but have not formed any friendships. Also, they did not encourage me to join them. :-) One of my close friends met the same group of people and WAS sought out.

I've never done any serious reading on the group, but this is what I understand about them:

*There is a tremendous emphasis on self-examination, confession and penance. I understand that some members practice mortification, or the practice of physically punishing the body.

*Marriage is permitted, but I think the tendency is to encourage a life of celibacy.

*The members of the group answer to their own bishop and not to the bishop of the diocese.

Again, this is based on my limited experience with the group. I will say that I was not attracted to their form of spirituality (unlike, say, the Third Order Franciscans).

[Matilda]

2. I don't like their sneakiness.

Our parish in Sydney is very progressive, and our parish priest often
did things a bit differently. He had wine as well as bread at the
Eucharist, held a 2nd Reconciliation Rite for the community during
Lent, and often instead of the Creed, would have a question and
answer (like that at Baptism) - do you believe...? etc. He was
continually being called in to explain himself to the Cardinal. When
asked how the Cardinal knew what was happening in his diocese, he
said simply "Opus Dei". Apparently they go round to different
churches and sit up the back to watch and make sure that everything
is run the way they like it, and if it's not, they run back to the
archbishop, and tell tales. I don't like that kind of underhanded-
ness, and besides, if the parish like the way things are, that's
what's important; it's up to them to complain if they don't. Oh,
we also had girls as altar servers before it was officially allowed
(my daughter was the first).

And guess what? Our priest was recently moved up to Queensland, and
the curate, also very progressive, was moved to Melbourne. Nobody
believes they weren't split up deliberately. We now have two new
priests who are very safe, and quite boring. It will be interesting
to see if attendances drop off in what has always been a very vibrant
parish.

[regnaD kciN]

3. What is it about Sydney and conservatives...?

We have just as big a problem in Anglicanism down there. In that case, though, the equivalent group is right-wing protestant, and are always trying to crack down on a) liberals and b) those who are too "Catholic."

:eyes: