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Opus Dei ("The Work of God", "The Work", "God's Work") is a Roman Catholic organization founded in 1928 by St. Josemaria Escriva, a Spanish priest. It has approximately 85,000 members in 60 countries, and is based in Rome. Pope John Paul II made Opus Dei a personal prelature in 1982, and canonized its founder in 2002.

The organization states that "the aim of Opus Dei is to contribute to evangelizing mission of the Church," and that it "encourages Christians of all social classes to live consistently with their faith, in the middle of the ordinary circumstances of their lives, especially through the sanctification of their work." The organization indicates that its activities consist in "offer spiritual formation and pastoral care to its members, as well as to many others." Its members also undertake social initiatives such as schools, medical clinics, and inner-city tutoring programs.

Criticism

Opus Dei has been criticized, especially by secular groups, for promoting an overly conservative vision of the Catholic faith and allegedly engaging in questionable practices. Some critics have gone even further, alleging that it is an elitist, secretive cult, and that it attempts to infiltrate other organs of the Catholic Church, supports South-American dictatorships, and is influenced by fascist ideas. Supporters of Opus Dei have dismissed these claims as absurd, and have emphasized that the Vatican has given official approval of the organization.

Some conservative critics focus on its support for the Second Vatican Council's teachings on ecumenism and the role of the laity in the Church. Others have alleged that Opus Dei was looked upon with suspicion by Pope John XXIII and Paul VI, though supporters say that, in fact, those popes supported the organization. Critics and supporters alike agree that Pope John Paul II has been a strong supporter of Opus Dei. John Paul II's press spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, is perhaps the most famous member of the organization.

In 1960s Spain, Francisco Franco appointed as ministers several members of Opus Dei. They are viewed as bringing a Capitalist technocrat ideology, contrasting with previous Falangist, Carlist or military ministers.

In current Spain, members of Opus Dei have been called as ministers by Partido Popular leader Jose Maria Aznar.

Membership and practices

The Vatican Yearbook indicates that Opus Dei includes about 1,800 priests. The remainder of the 85,000 members are laypersons. Approximately a quarter of Opus Dei's members are "numeraries," who have committed themselves to celibacy in order to be more available for the organization's activities. The majority of the lay members are "supernumeraries," who are involved in Opus Dei's activities but do not make a commitment of celibacy. Opus Dei additionally has many "cooperators," who assist its activities through prayer, donations, or other means.

Famous members work as journalists or in education. Opus Dei founded Universidad de Navarra in Spain and lots of lower schools.

In addition to the practice of celibacy, some of the numerary members apparently receive spiritual direction, give their surplus income to the organization and follow practices of mortification of the flesh. This has led some to criticize the organization and led others to compare it to a religious order. Opus Dei's supporters have said that these are all traditional Catholic practices that can be suitable for the lay state as well as religious orders, and that the organization's secular mentality and emphasis on living the Christian faith in the secular world distinguish it from a religious order.

External links

• Opus Dei's official website
• Romana - Opus Dei's official journal
• DMOZ directory
• Opus Dei Awareness Network
• The "Unofficial Homepage"
• Opus Dei in the United States by James Martin, S.J. America, the Catholic Weekly Magazine. February 25, 1995. Response by Opus Dei.