So we have two issues in Argentina, a shrine in Spain, and US progessives scapegoating Opus Dei for being Catholic. I don’t understand why there is talk as if Opus Dei has some systemic problem.
Opus Dei should not feel singled out. We’re all in this together for our best and worst days as a Catholic family. If you belong to any organization in the Church, whether it’s a diocese, an order, or a new ecclesial community (which range from conservative to progressive) then you almost assuredly are within a very very short reach of some serious form of manipulation or abuse. This is an honest fact of being Catholic and is a challenge for all of us to move toward a more integrated holiness. In a homily I heard yesterday, the priest pushed back on the trend in recent centuries to tie sainthood to morality as if someone achieved heroic virtue in all areas of their life. He said instead it was historically like an authenticity in which the individual committed to working toward the good as part of the Church. They become blessed because they allowed their cries and tears to be seen, and persevered for hope of that eternal bliss with God. We are all a work in progress together as one Catholic family, if we want to be saints.
Heroic virtue, still a criterion on the way to sainthood, is not about morality so much as charity (_the_ virtue that endures, per St. Paul). Authenticity is rather a modern and slippery concept. I agree that all saints suffer, in union with their Head and captain, quite often from their companions in the faith.
I think it makes sense to systematically look at the whole organization to make certain that the conditions that led to abuse in one region don’t exist in other areas. Every Catholic organization has to be proactive in preventing abuse and promptly (and properly) responding to allegations of abuse. Progressives will do what progressives do.
“Ocáriz said he does not believe the main role of the laity should be within Church structures, but rather as evangelizers in the broader society.
“Some [laypeople working in the Church] might be necessary but, logically, it will be a small proportion,” he said.”
Just keep them out of the sanctuary and behind communion rails.
Now I know why the pastor of the parish I moved away from 3+ years ago won’t allow deacons to assist him in the sanctuary, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to assist at weekend masses with 700+ in attendance, etc. Backwards is the way with Opus Dei.
I’m afraid you’re misreading Msgr. Ocariz in light of whatever you went through with a former pastor. Lumen Gentium is clear on the mission of the laity: to go where priests and religious can’t, into every place where they live and work, and sanctify the world for Christ at the grassroots.
I’m very saddened to see the problems Opus Dei is having because many of my family members are part of it, but, judging from the disturbing testimonies of former members, it appears that the organization has some profound flaws and is in need of reform.
Opus Dei has often felt distinct, even separate, from the rest of the Church, with dedicated members living by specific spiritual practices and even separate living arrangements. This separation, paired with an impression of exclusivity, has made it appear almost like an elite or secretive faction, fostering its own distinct identity as though the broader Church couldn’t support its mission to find holiness in everyday life. The proposed changes
highlight that the call to sanctify daily life is universal, belonging to all Catholics rather than a select few, and is something everyone can strive for without needing a separate path to do so.
I have been a cooperator in Opus Dei for twenty years. I have done programs for young men over that time. I have taken part in retreats and evenings of recollection. If I had tum Opus Dei up in one word it would be formation. The lay membership is an issue in a Prelature. But they are obedient souls and will do the will of the Holy Father in all things. As far as the scandals in Argentina, I'm not convinced it is an indication of something that infects the whole Prelature. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the priests of the work in spiritual direction. Could they get better? Sure. Is there somethin6g seriously wrong here? I simply don't see it. I pray for the work every day.
I find the quote striking: ‘Law, which is so necessary, follows life, follows the incarnated message, to support and give continuity to life,’ he added.’ Opus Dei initially ignored and even broke the law by giving lay people the idea that they were incorporated into the Opus Dei. To reinforce this idea, the Opus Dei used ecclesiastical rituals that gave every appearance that this was indeed an incorporation, with the accompanying rights and duties under canon law. The Opus Dei made grateful use of all the supposed rights in this confusion, but never cared about duties that incorporation would entail. Among other duties of care. As a result, young people ‘gave everything’, materially, in time and spiritually, and when problems arose, as a member of the Opus Dei you had the choice of bursting or just leaving. Destitute and alone, as the Opus Dei discouraged contact with ex-members. And now that Opus Dei, thanks to ignoring and breaking the law has become rich and has been able to develop rapidly they say the law should follow life. If anything, I would say they should first start compensating all those members who left Opus Dei in misery and were left destitute. Materially and emotionally. If they do that, they will show that they mean what they say. Otherwise, I see it as an extension of the inmorality they have shown so far.
I find the quote striking: “Law, which is so necessary, follows life, follows the incarnated message, to support and give continuity to life,' he added.” Opus Dei initially ignored and even violated the law by giving lay people the idea that they were incorporated into the Opus Dei. To reinforce this idea, the Opus Dei made use of ecclesiastical rituals that gave every appearance that this was indeed an incorporation, with accompanying rights and duties under canon law. The Opus Dei made grateful use of all the alleged rights in this confusion, but never concerned itself with duties that would entail incorporation. Among other duties of care. As a result, young people “gave everything,” materially, in time and spiritually, and when problems arose, as a member of the Opus Dei, you had the choice of falling ill or just leaving. Destitute and alone, as the Opus Dei discouraged contact with ex-members. And now that the Opus Dei, thanks in part to ignoring and breaking the law (by creating confusion) has become wealthy and has been able to develop rapidly they say that the law must follow life. I do not understand that logic. I would say that they are first going to compensate all those members who have given everything under false pretenses and have been left destitute without any duty of care from the Opus Dei. I think morality becomes before law and law is there to protect morality.
So we have two issues in Argentina, a shrine in Spain, and US progessives scapegoating Opus Dei for being Catholic. I don’t understand why there is talk as if Opus Dei has some systemic problem.
Opus Dei should not feel singled out. We’re all in this together for our best and worst days as a Catholic family. If you belong to any organization in the Church, whether it’s a diocese, an order, or a new ecclesial community (which range from conservative to progressive) then you almost assuredly are within a very very short reach of some serious form of manipulation or abuse. This is an honest fact of being Catholic and is a challenge for all of us to move toward a more integrated holiness. In a homily I heard yesterday, the priest pushed back on the trend in recent centuries to tie sainthood to morality as if someone achieved heroic virtue in all areas of their life. He said instead it was historically like an authenticity in which the individual committed to working toward the good as part of the Church. They become blessed because they allowed their cries and tears to be seen, and persevered for hope of that eternal bliss with God. We are all a work in progress together as one Catholic family, if we want to be saints.
Heroic virtue, still a criterion on the way to sainthood, is not about morality so much as charity (_the_ virtue that endures, per St. Paul). Authenticity is rather a modern and slippery concept. I agree that all saints suffer, in union with their Head and captain, quite often from their companions in the faith.
I think it makes sense to systematically look at the whole organization to make certain that the conditions that led to abuse in one region don’t exist in other areas. Every Catholic organization has to be proactive in preventing abuse and promptly (and properly) responding to allegations of abuse. Progressives will do what progressives do.
“Ocáriz said he does not believe the main role of the laity should be within Church structures, but rather as evangelizers in the broader society.
“Some [laypeople working in the Church] might be necessary but, logically, it will be a small proportion,” he said.”
Just keep them out of the sanctuary and behind communion rails.
Now I know why the pastor of the parish I moved away from 3+ years ago won’t allow deacons to assist him in the sanctuary, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to assist at weekend masses with 700+ in attendance, etc. Backwards is the way with Opus Dei.
Deacons are not laity.
Correct but the pattern is clear. Priests are elite and supreme. Exactly what the eternal high priest does not want.
I’m afraid you’re misreading Msgr. Ocariz in light of whatever you went through with a former pastor. Lumen Gentium is clear on the mission of the laity: to go where priests and religious can’t, into every place where they live and work, and sanctify the world for Christ at the grassroots.
Thank you. I've been struggling for more words to address Joe's comment.
I’m very saddened to see the problems Opus Dei is having because many of my family members are part of it, but, judging from the disturbing testimonies of former members, it appears that the organization has some profound flaws and is in need of reform.
https://m.youtube.com/@nopusdei
Opus Dei has often felt distinct, even separate, from the rest of the Church, with dedicated members living by specific spiritual practices and even separate living arrangements. This separation, paired with an impression of exclusivity, has made it appear almost like an elite or secretive faction, fostering its own distinct identity as though the broader Church couldn’t support its mission to find holiness in everyday life. The proposed changes
highlight that the call to sanctify daily life is universal, belonging to all Catholics rather than a select few, and is something everyone can strive for without needing a separate path to do so.
I have been a cooperator in Opus Dei for twenty years. I have done programs for young men over that time. I have taken part in retreats and evenings of recollection. If I had tum Opus Dei up in one word it would be formation. The lay membership is an issue in a Prelature. But they are obedient souls and will do the will of the Holy Father in all things. As far as the scandals in Argentina, I'm not convinced it is an indication of something that infects the whole Prelature. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the priests of the work in spiritual direction. Could they get better? Sure. Is there somethin6g seriously wrong here? I simply don't see it. I pray for the work every day.
I find the quote striking: ‘Law, which is so necessary, follows life, follows the incarnated message, to support and give continuity to life,’ he added.’ Opus Dei initially ignored and even broke the law by giving lay people the idea that they were incorporated into the Opus Dei. To reinforce this idea, the Opus Dei used ecclesiastical rituals that gave every appearance that this was indeed an incorporation, with the accompanying rights and duties under canon law. The Opus Dei made grateful use of all the supposed rights in this confusion, but never cared about duties that incorporation would entail. Among other duties of care. As a result, young people ‘gave everything’, materially, in time and spiritually, and when problems arose, as a member of the Opus Dei you had the choice of bursting or just leaving. Destitute and alone, as the Opus Dei discouraged contact with ex-members. And now that Opus Dei, thanks to ignoring and breaking the law has become rich and has been able to develop rapidly they say the law should follow life. If anything, I would say they should first start compensating all those members who left Opus Dei in misery and were left destitute. Materially and emotionally. If they do that, they will show that they mean what they say. Otherwise, I see it as an extension of the inmorality they have shown so far.
I find the quote striking: “Law, which is so necessary, follows life, follows the incarnated message, to support and give continuity to life,' he added.” Opus Dei initially ignored and even violated the law by giving lay people the idea that they were incorporated into the Opus Dei. To reinforce this idea, the Opus Dei made use of ecclesiastical rituals that gave every appearance that this was indeed an incorporation, with accompanying rights and duties under canon law. The Opus Dei made grateful use of all the alleged rights in this confusion, but never concerned itself with duties that would entail incorporation. Among other duties of care. As a result, young people “gave everything,” materially, in time and spiritually, and when problems arose, as a member of the Opus Dei, you had the choice of falling ill or just leaving. Destitute and alone, as the Opus Dei discouraged contact with ex-members. And now that the Opus Dei, thanks in part to ignoring and breaking the law (by creating confusion) has become wealthy and has been able to develop rapidly they say that the law must follow life. I do not understand that logic. I would say that they are first going to compensate all those members who have given everything under false pretenses and have been left destitute without any duty of care from the Opus Dei. I think morality becomes before law and law is there to protect morality.