Monday, February 20, 2006

Is Opus Dei Secretive

If you base your opinion on media coverage, it seems Opus Dei has something to hide. The reality is quite the opposite. First, that descriptor has been repeated by reporters ad nauseum for years, without any serious independent investigation until John Allen's book. Opus Dei, for the most part, does not operate as a collective movement. People join because God calls them to live their personal lives dedicated to the service of others and the Church. Almost all members are married lay persons, meaning, they are not ordained. Conclusion: there are thousands of people worldwide that belong to Opus Dei that do not advertise their membership and want to come closer to God in a very personal way through their work, family life, social dealings, etc. I never considered myself a "joiner" and like Opus Dei because it's not another club or an activist grass-roots movement.