In attempts to soften concerns, it was noted that 42 of Dublin's 200 parishes are already in the care of religious orders. That, however, is disingenuous. Opus Dei - aka The Work - is an entirely different creature, a highly traditionalist lay organisation, guided by an authoritarian ideology, that happens to have its own priests. It is also an organisation that has been shot through with obsessive secrecy and elitism up to recent times. Far from rubbing along with the traditional religious orders, Opus Dei is perceived as the vanguard of an other-worldly view of Christianity, replacing the influence of the religious orders which had become more grounded in their support of an experiential faith.Quite apart from the editorial swipe ('disingenuous'), in terms of describing various orders and associations, Opus Dei falls under the 'conservative' rather than the 'traditionalist' banner.
I was also struck by the following:
It is the only Roman Catholic organisation, other than the church itself, that believes it was created by God. This view of itself was copper-fastened by the 2002 canonisation of its founder, Josemaría Escrivá, and its placing at the heart of the Catholic church by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.That's hardly accurate... Firstly, the legenda of many religious orders bring out their being founded according to the divine will. Secondly, I'm pretty sure that Opus Dei doesn't see its role in the Divine plan as being comparable to that of the Church herself. Thirdly, note the misuse of the word 'created'.
(Should I note that I have absolutely no connection with Opus Dei?)
1 comment:
No. :-)
I used to be very wary of Opus Dei. However, when JP II gave it his blessing, I knew that I was only "seeing men walking, like trees," and that I would have to trust the prelature. And I did not care for St. Josemaria Escriva, and in a way, still can't, for he does seem a tad Traditionalist --but he's not--not where it matters: it does not veer from Rome nor causes division. And it's not crucial that I bear affection for a saint; if the Church declares someone a saint, that's enough for me to trust.
And here's a surprising thing of late: as I look (past this insane American election) around the world and see Christians being persecuted more and more (and not least of all, Catholics), I'm now glad that not everyone knows the size and strength of Opus Dei--glad it is here, there and everywhere.
Once again, the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing down the road where we cannot see; once again, the Pope guides us to that very re-assurance.
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