Opus Dei (book)

Last updated

Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church is a book written by American journalist John L. Allen Jr. about the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, commonly known as Opus Dei, published in 2005. While the book received mixed reviews, there were more positive reviews than negative. Two journalists referred to it as "widely considered as the definitive book on Opus Dei." On the other hand, some said Allen "applied a daub of whitewash." Agenzia Giornalistica Italiana (AGI), a major Italian news agency, described his work as having an "empirical approach" and that his book is of "great historical and journalistic interest."

Contents

Reviews

Although a writer with some liberal leanings,[ citation needed ] being a regular contributor to the National Catholic Reporter , John L. Allen Jr. was praised for his work by both members and ex-members, by conservatives and liberals.

His harshest critic was Damian Thompson of The Catholic Herald , who, after saying that his "column is a byword for objectivity", said that Allen "applied a daub of whitewash", because Allen did not interview the senior critic of Opus Dei in Britain, Vladimir Felzmann. Allen later said that he did spend much space in the book analyzing Felzmann's statements versus the testimonies of other people. (See Opus Dei and politics). Thompson also said that Allen only saw what Opus Dei showed him. Thompson agreed with Allen though in several points: "Opus Dei is not as black as it is painted," Escriva "anticipated the reforming spirit of the Second Vatican Council," "there is nothing very shocking" about the survival of corporal mortification," and that charges that Opus Dei is "financially corrupt and politically far to the Right," are "years out of date." Another critic is Peter McDermott who still called Allen "respected Rome correspondent." His main point is that Allen "doesn't explore the idea that maybe Opus Dei itself is two different realities." Peter Duffy of the Jesuit weekly, America, also called him "respected" but said that Allen bent over backwards to explain the harshest criticisms of Opus Dei. [1] Another writer for America, the Jesuit priest James Martin, after also calling Allen respected, described that book as "exhaustively researched and wholly fascinating exploration of the worldwide organization. Its chief surprise for many readers may have been the author’s detailed and sensitively drawn portrait of the extensive network of social apostolates sponsored by 'The Work,' which has often been criticized for its elitism."

Two journalists called it "widely considered the definitive book" on Opus Dei. One is Martha Teichner of CBS, a four-time Emmy award winner, [2] and the other is Mary Nersessian of CTV.ca News Staff. [3] Piers Paul Read of the Telegraph called Allen's work on Opus Dei "a dispassionate assessment...definitive, persuasive and absorbing." [4] The Sunday Times said it is "An admirable book the first stop for anyone interested in Opus Dei." [5] Time Magazine called it a "most informed and sympathetic" account of Opus Dei. [6] Ed Dobeas of Amazon.com said it contained "exhaustive research, interviews and careful analysis," and is a "balanced, perceptive inquiry," while Publishers Weekly said it is a "most informative...exhaustive study," and that Allen's "balanced, even reporting sometimes borders on the clinical." [7] Fr. Richard John Neuhaus said it is "a candid and careful assessment of what Opus Dei is and isn’t." Christopher Howse says it is a "determinedly unsensationalist but deeply intriguing study." [8] Joe Szimhart says: "What he put in should go a long way to explain many facets of the Escrivà movement in Catholicism." Paul Baumann of Washington Monthly states: "has earned a reputation for balanced, informed reporting. He does not simply reflect the leanings of the liberal weekly paper that is his primary outlet. Here, that reputation gives credence to much of what Opus Dei members tell him in defending the group's philosophy and practices. In that sense, Allen may be too liberal for his own good."

Agenzia Giornalistica Italiana (AGI), a major Italian news agency, described his work as having an "empirical approach" and that his book is of "great historical and journalistic interest."

Allen's recommendations

While Allen's main conclusion is that most of the criticism against Opus Dei are myths created by its opponents or are mainly due to misunderstanding Opus Dei, he also had a list of recommendations for Opus Dei.

To improve its image, Allen recommended that Opus Dei should (1) be more transparent, (2) collaborate with religious orders, and (3) its members should air out in public their criticism of the institution.

However, in "Let There Be Light - A look inside the hidden world of Opus Dei" (Washington Monthly October/November 2005), Paul Baumann says that Allen's recommendations, which are based on a liberal and Anglo-Saxon cultural prism, still constitute a misinterpretation of Opus Dei's identity.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opus Dei</span> Institution of the Catholic Church

Opus Dei is an institution of the Catholic Church that, by a purported divine inspiration, was founded in Spain in 1928 by Catholic priest Josemaría Escrivá. It is defined as a cult because of its practices and political activities. Its own stated mission is to help its lay and clerical members to seek Christian perfection in their everyday occupations and within their societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josemaría Escrivá</span> Spanish Catholic priest and saint (1902–1975)

Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás was a Spanish Catholic priest who founded Opus Dei, an organization of laypeople and priests dedicated to the principle of everyday holiness. He was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II, who declared Josemaría should be "counted among the great witnesses of Christianity."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javier Echevarría Rodríguez</span>

Javier Echevarría Rodríguez was a Spanish Catholic bishop who served as the head of Opus Dei from 1994 until his death. He held doctorates in both civil and canon law.

Opus Dei and politics is a discussion on Opus Dei's view on politics, its role in politics and its members involvement in politics.

Opus Dei and Catholic Church Leaders discusses the comments and observations of popes, cardinals, and other leaders of the Catholic Church as regards the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei.

This is a bibliography of works about Opus Dei, also known as the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, which was founded by Josemaría Escrivá.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teachings of Opus Dei</span> Teachings of St Josemaría Escrivá

Teachings of Opus Dei are the teachings of the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer.

Opus Dei in society refers to the social mission, general social strategy, social activities, work, relationship with politics and other aspects of Opus Dei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Priestly Society of the Holy Cross</span> Association of Catholic priests attached to Opus Dei

The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is an association of Catholic diocesan priests which is integrally united to the Prelature of Opus Dei.

Opus Dei is a personal prelature within the Roman Church that has been the subject of numerous controversies. Throughout its history, Opus Dei has been criticized by many, including by numerary members who knew the founder and had roles in Opus Dei's internal government. The reports by former members in the US, England, Spain, Latin America, France, Germany, and other countries are published. Journalists have described it as "the most controversial force in the Catholic Church" and its founder Josemaría Escrivá as a "polarizing" figure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John L. Allen Jr.</span> American Roman Catholic journalist (born 1965)

John L. Allen Jr. is an American journalist and author who serves as editor of the Catholic news website Crux, formerly hosted by The Boston Globe and now independently funded.

Canonization of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer discusses John Paul II's decision to canonize Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, more commonly known as Opus Dei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Rodriguez (theologian)</span>

Pedro Rodriguez is a theologian who specializes on church studies or ecclesiology. He has written dozens of books and articles on theology. He is priest of the prelature of Opus Dei. He teaches at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain and was its dean of theology for many years.

Lexington College was a Catholic women's college located in Chicago, Illinois. The curriculum was focused entirely on hospitality management studies.

In Christian liturgical worship, Preces, also known in Anglican prayer as the Suffrages or Responses, describe a series of short petitions said or sung as versicles and responses by the officiant and congregation respectively. Versicle-and-response is one of the oldest forms of prayer in Christianity, with its roots in Hebrew prayer during the time of the Temple in Jerusalem. In many prayer books the versicles and responses comprising the Preces are denoted by special glyphs:

<i>There Be Dragons</i> 2011 American film

There Be Dragons is a 2011 historical epic war drama film written and directed by Roland Joffé. Set during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, it features themes such as betrayal, love and hatred, forgiveness, friendship, and finding meaning in everyday life. It includes the story of soldiers, a journalist, his father, and a real-life priest, Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, who was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint.

L'Opus Dei : enquête sur le "monstre" is a French-language journalistic and historical work of Patrice de Plunkett about Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church. Plunkett was the editor of the French magazine Le Figaro. His book was released on 17 May 2006, the debut of the film The Da Vinci Code which portrayed Opus Dei in a negative light. The purpose of the book is to inform the public about the Catholic Church, Christianity and Opus Dei, and to understand the black legend against Opus Dei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dora del Hoyo</span>

Dora del Hoyo Alonso, was a Spanish Catholic laywoman who was one of the first female members of Opus Dei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth L. Woodward</span> American religion writer

Kenneth L. Woodward is an American Roman Catholic writer. He was editor of the Religion section of national American magazine Newsweek from 1964 until his retirement in 2002.

References

  1. ↑ America | The National Catholic Weekly
  2. ↑ Behind The Shroud Of Opus Dei, Martha Teichner Gives An Inside Look At The Controversial Catholic Group - CBS News
  3. ↑ CTV.ca | Decoding Opus Dei: Fighting fiction with fact Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ You can trust them to sell you a car – Telegraph
  5. ↑ Synopsis
  6. ↑ The Ways of Opus Dei – TIME
  7. ↑ Amazon.com: Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church: Books: John L. Allen
  8. ↑ "Book Reviews". Archived from the original on 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.