Expert: Fr. Michael - 1/26/2007

Question
What is the church's official position on Opus Dei? Also, is Josemaria Escriva viewed as a saint by the traditional church? Thanks.

Answer
       Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, anticipated and
Developed 30 years before Vatican II a revolutionary, new, secular theology of
the laity, and accepted the principle of pluralism and indifferentism:  a Novus
Ordo Seclorum.

       In 1982 John Paul II created this group as a "personal prelature."  
Suspiciously, this act occurred in the same year that the wealthy sect allegedly
had transferred almost $1,000,000,000 into the Vatican Bank, bailing it out of
an embarrassing bankruptcy.  In a second maneuver that raised eyebrows, the pope
placed the founder of Opus Dei on the "fast track" for New Order sainthood,
accelerating an often centuries-long waiting-period for canonization to a mere
twenty years.

       Opus Deistas are part of the New Order Church.  Opus Dei is a chameleon
organization, being liberal or conservative, whichever benefits its agenda.  
Juan Estruch in his book "Saints and Schemers" described this as "dual ethics."  
Michael Walsh, in his book, "Opus Dei:  An Investigation Into the Secret Society
Struggling For Power Within the Roman Catholic Church," has also written in
detail about the inner workings of Opus Dei.