Criticism of Opus Dei. "Opus Dei" is Latin for "Work of God." Opus Dei is a unique organization in the Catholic Church. It is the only personal prelature in the world--something between a religious order and a worldwide diocese. Opus Dei purports to promote lay spirituality, but critics say it is secretive, elitist, harmful, and even cult-like.
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- Opus Dei: The Unofficial Homepage Independent and critical information about the sect.
- Opus Dei Awareness Network US-based non profit organization provides information, outreach and support to those adversely impacted by the cult.
- The Way of the Faithful Review of Maria del Carmen Tapia's book "Beyond the Threshold: A Life in Opus Dei." Includes a link to the first chapter of the book. [Washington Post]
- What Is Opus Dei? Controversy surrounds this organisation and its founder. [BBC News]
- The Rise of Opus Dei A report on the controversy surrounding the secretive organisation and the meteoric rise of its founder to canonisation. [BBC News]
- The Rising Spectre of Opus Dei From the European Institute of Protestant Studies; good article detailing the organization.
- Opus Dei Saint Report on the controversial canonization of Josemaria Escriva. RealAudio. [Weekend Edition]
- The Crusaders A powerful faction of religious and political conservatives is waging a latter-day counterreformation, battling widespread efforts to liberalize the American Catholic Church. Fr. C. John McCloskey and Opus Dei discussed throughout the article. [Boston Globe Magazine]
- The Dei today Opus Dei, a mysterious arm of the Catholic Church, has been thrust under the spotlight. So what is known about the group?
- Opus Dei and the Pope Members of the conservative Roman Catholic group Opus Dei occupy leadership positions throughout the church. The late Pope John Paul II made the founder a saint in 2004. But critics of the movement accuse Opus Dei of unscrupulous brainwashing. From NPR; requires RealPlayer.
- Their Will Be Done Article looking at the intersection of Opus Dei, CIA, dictatorial regimes and the Knights of Malta as they attempt to fight liberation theology throughout the world. Opus Dei is mentioned in the second part of the article. From Mother Jones, USA.
- Club Class Simon Cox gains access to the hidden world of Opus Dei, one of the most mysterious and controversial clubs in the world, to separate the fact from the fiction. To their critics, they are a secretive elite cult who brainwash their members, control the Vatican and have tentacles reaching into governments all over the world. From BBC Radio 4. Requires RealPlayer.
- An inside look at Opus Dei For such a small group, Opus Dei is a huge source of intrigue. A glimpse at the most controversial group in Catholicism. From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- Opus Dei as a Political Force in Post Cold War Latin America American Political Science Association, Wash DC, USA; Panel "Comparative Political Manifestations of the Roman Catholic Church", 2nd draft, 1:30 PM
- Ex-Opus Dei Members Decry Blind Obedience It's been more than 15 years since Tammy DiNicola left Opus Dei, but she still tries to raise awareness about the secretive and conservative Roman Catholic group. From ABC News, USA.
- The Da Vinci Senator Senator Brownback, an Opus Dei cult member, attempts to merge church and state by trying to change the US Constitution using a report from an Opus Dei-backed think tank. From AlterNet.
- What do Americans make of Opus Dei, often described as a 'secretive Catholic sect' Former member and journalist discuss problems with the Opus Dei cult and problematic aspects of group. From The BBC Radio 4; requires RealPlayer.
- Opus Dei NPR's religion reporter Duncan Moon delves into the criticisms of Opus Dei. 4 minutes 50 seconds in length. RealAudio file. [All Things Considered]
- The Rev. John McCloskey: The Catholic Church's K Street Lobbyist The high-profile Opus Dei priest preaches good news to the rich, and wants to throw Catholics who disagree with him out of the Church. [Slate]
- Opus Dei must shed light on its dark image The conservative Roman Catholic group which gained international notoriety in The Da Vinci Code is too secretive for its own good. [Reuters]
- Watergate in Lima Story about an Opus Dei cardinal facing accusations of complicity in a massacre and of collaboration in the possible assassination of his Jesuit predecessor. From Chiesa, Espress Online, Rome, Italy.
- Power and Mystery As Opus Dei's founder is canonized, Catholics wonder if the secretive lay group will one day help pick the next Pope; from Time Magazine - Europe
- Secret Service Review of Maria del Carmen Tapia's book "Beyond the Threshold: A Life in Opus Dei." With a link to the first chapter of the book. [New York Times]
- Bookreview: Their Kingdom Come Review of Robert Hutchinson's book.
- BBC - Religion & Ethics - Opus Dei Opus Dei is a Catholic organisation which encourages its members to promote their faith through their jobs and everyday lives. The organisation has been accused of being secretive and elitist and has recently had publicity because of its role in 'The Da Vinci Code' novel.
- Opus Dei lifts lid without revealing secrets An Opus Dei official in Spain was anxious to convince an English reporter that there is nothing unusual about the organisation. [Telegraph]
- Duceppe assails Tory candidate's Opus Dei affiliation A candidate for the Canadian parliament is revealed to be a member of the Opus Dei cult. From The Toronto Star.
- Secretive sect dubbed 'Mafia shrouded in white' Fine article that discusses the problems with Opus Dei in Glasgow, Scotland. From The Scotsman, Scotland, UK.
- Opus Dei Info Documents, testimonies, analysis & information about the Opus Dei cult.
- Selling orthodoxy to Washington power brokers from the National Catholic Reporter, the independent newsweekly
- Opus Dei: The Work of God? Article questioning the many problematic aspects of Opus Dei at Harvard and the Boston area. From BustedHalo, Paulist Young Adult Ministries, New York City.
- The Pope's Right Arm in Europe Report by Gordon Urquhart which focuses on Opus Dei's direct involvement in politics.
- A creepy scrape with the Da Vinci Code set Before he knew it, Damian Thompson had learnt some unsavoury truths about the Catholic sect – and become one of its 'secret enemies'. The Telegraph, UK.
- "Inside the Hell of Opus Dei": Book lifts cowl on 'misogynist' Opus Dei Defector tells of threats and humiliation she suffered during 13 years in secret sect. From The Telegraph, UK. [RSS]
- Survivor Describes Days in Opus Dei Review of Maria del Carmen Tapia's book "Beyond the Threshold." [National Catholic Reporter]
- Ancien Régime Meets High Finance in Opus Dei Book review of "Their Kingdom Come." [National Catholic Reporter]
- Opus Dei Essay from the Earth Edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
- What's the problem with Opus Dei? Ruth Kelly has tried to unknot the ties between her new job and her sympathy with the Catholic group Opus Dei. From The Guardian Unlimited.
- Too far back to the future from The Guardian
- The secret life of Opus Dei Ruth Kelly says the Catholic group's support is a private matter, but it is surrounded by a reactionary miasma. By Michael Walsh, author of an excellent book on the Opus Dei cult. From The Guardian Unlimited, UK.
- Opus Dei paper prints prophet in hell cartoon A cartoon depicting Muhammed in hell has been published by an Italian magazine close to Opus Dei, bringing angry criticism from Muslim groups and disapproval from the Vatican. From The Guardian Unlimited.
- Forget Scientology, how about Opus Dei Thanks to the fervor over “The Da Vinci Code,”, this close-knit Catholic movement is the only fringe religious group that is also a household name. From NBC News.
- Hardball with Chris Matthews Transcript from show about Opus Dei, including observations from an anti-cult expert and Catholics who have been severely harmed but the cult. From NBC News.
- State Education Ministry Rejects Opus Dei School The Opus Dei cult fails in its bid to open a school for recruiting purposes in Potsdam, Germany. From. Deutsche Welle
- Opus Dei in the United States Written by Father James Martin, an Associate Editor at America Magazine in New York City, USA.
- Brownback for President In 1996, Brownback fell under the spell of Rev. John McCloskey, an anchor at the right-wing Catholic organization Opus Dei. He was baptized a Catholic “not in a church but in a chapel tucked between lobbyists' offices on K Street that is run by Opus Dei." From BeyondChron.
- Right Web: Opus Dei/Work of God Profile of this militant, fundamentalist, secretive, authoritarian organization, which displays features of a cult.