Have Your Say 

Recent Comments

1. While there is definitely something very sinister about the Legionaries the claim that they are "even more sinister" than Opus Dei is as unfortunate as it is inaccurate.
   
   There is nothing sinister about Opus Dei in spite of Dan Brown's attempts to stain the reputation of that organisation. While I am not a member I have friends who are and they are amongst the most decent and faithful Catholics I know.
   
   To allow Dan Brown to dictate what we should think about one of the most effective organs for good within the Catholic Church is weak, offensive and downright silly.

   Posted By: Robert Leach

2. We continue to be sorrowful for some sordid events in the Church's past. The article in the Independant offers more information and some comments on it are more constructive than others. As we, as a Church, continue to seek justice and pastoral care for victims and put in place ever developing procedures and strategies of formation we will hopefully learn much and build a better future. Two resources I'm currently finding thought provoking are: George Wilson, sj, "Clericalism: the death of priesthood" (2008) and Howard Bleichner, ss, View from the Altar: reflections on the rapidly changing catholic priesthood" (2004).

   Posted By: Fr Simon Falk

3. There is nothing secretive or sinister about Opus Dei. Nor is it wealthy. This lay organisation has had the patronage and blessings of every pope since Pius XII. Also, its founder, St Josemaria Escriva, contributed much to the formation of the concept of the common priesthood of the faithful that was promoted in the Second Vatican Council.

   Posted By: Charles

4. Well said, Fr Simon, we need to learn much & build a better future.

   Posted By: Marie H

5. How come CNN describnes Opus Dei as 'secretive' and 'sinister'. If this wonderful organisation which seeks to bring people nearer to God by sacrificing their own lives- willingly for the love of God - were really sinister, they would sue CNN for outright and unwarranted defamation.

   Posted By: Anne Boyce

6. After reading this article,I never thought I would even think the thought that maybe it 's time to give WOMEN the opportunity to lead in the Church!

   Posted By: M.M.

7. Dan Brown's depiction of Opus Dei is a grotesque distortion of comic book proportions. Unfortunately, that seems to be Opus Dei's major complaint with the Da Vinci Code. Never mind that Brown proffers the worst blasphemies about Jesus and His Blessed Mother.
   
   No, the truth about Opus Dei is much more insidious. It has taken me years to recover from my teenage experiences with the Work. They were coercive, manipulative and abusive in their attempts to recruit me.
   
   That said, there are positive aspects about the organisation. Their doctrine is sound; their life of prayer deep and rich.
   
   I may take another look one day, when they decide it's time to offer the Numerary Assistant class of membership to men. Why should only the women get to clean the toilets?

   Posted By: Heidi

8. Whilst Dan Brown is wrong on virtually everything, that does not mean that Opus Dei should get off scot free.
   Opus Dei is actually very very middle class; it is manipulative and it does have arrogant Spanish attitudes about women. Women who serve meals at Opus Dei colleges are not spoken to by the males seated at table. I experienced this many years ago when I used to go along to some of their talks. I remember saying "thank you" and giving an appreciative smile to the middle aged lady serving my meal. The Opus Dei students and clergy gave me a strange look for speaking to this lady but they said nothing to me. I will always remember that arrogant atmosphere.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

9. I have been to many of the women's activities of Opus Dei, and I assure you, the women do not speak to the meal servers, either. It is simply a matter of respect to let them do their job well. They want to serve as unobtrusively as possible, and it is good manners, not haughtiness, to let them!

   Posted By: Nancy Ewer

10. Nancy, what you just said is ridiculous.
    This silent treatment was tried on Tasmanian prisoners 200 years ago and it failed.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

11. Apparently Fr Maciel was far from perfect. But let that not blind us to the enormous amount of good that he and the organisations he founded have done and are doing in the world.

    Posted By: Peter G

• » Advertise in CathNews

Email to Friend Please fill out the following details (fields marked with a * are mandatory):
Send To Email Address*:
Send To Name *:
Sent By Email Address*:
Sent By Name *:
Text to include in email:
Captcha validation:	please enter the code above:

^ Page Top

Comment on this article

More from this section

1. Feature - Nun's habit of love

   There are several things you learn about Sister Carmel Wauchope in the new Australian documentary, A Nun's New Habit. She joined the Benedictine order, The Sisters of the Good Samaritans, just shy of her 19th birthday, chose "career" over family in her 30s, is touchingly close to her niece and is no aficionado of housework. - Jen Vuk, War Cry

2. Featured Website - What Every Catholic Should Know

   What Every Catholic Should Know is not a Catholic website. The site is sponsored by the anti-Catholic Berean Beacon Ministries, whose president and founder is a former Catholic priest.

3. Film Review - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

   This film is the sixth movie in the Potter series, with another to come. It has to be the longest running series in movie history and the temptation to continue with what has gone before must be enormous. Produced as a film designed to be a movie which combines style with substance, it defies the odds, and is perhaps the best Potter movie in the series so far. - Peter W. Sheehan, Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting

4. Opinion - Accepting vulnerable love

   One of the ironies of life is that it is much easier to give love than to receive it. We can be very generous in helping others and extremely ungracious when they offer to help us. - Fr Noel Connolly, The Far East

5. Feature - Sacred Heart Mission's new approach on homelessness

   Almost 40 per cent are what Michael Perusco, Sacred Heart Mission chief executive, terms the "chronically homeless": people trapped in a cycle of living on the streets, couch surfing with friends or moving from one rooming house to another when the money runs out or their phobias get the better of them.