Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church

by John L. Allen Jr.

Book Overview

The first serious journalistic investigation of the highly secretive, controversial organization Opus Dei provides unique insight about the wild rumors surrounding it and discloses its significant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385514492
• ISBN13: 9780385514491
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion
• Length: 403 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Refreshingly Balanced

I found this book a refreshingly balanced study of Opus Dei. Allen did not shirk from any of the areas of controversy surrounding Opus Dei - its finances, recruiting tactics, its perceived secrecy - to name a few. For every accusation there is a well-researched corrective, with enough wiggle room, where appropirate, for the reader to make their own judgment. Sadly, a serious book like this is unlikely to dissuade the general public from the false notions espoused by the likes of Dan Brown.

Can "Rashomon" ever be reconciled? If so, Allen does.

It's a cliché by now to say that someone has "wrestled" with a difficult question, but to the extent it can ever be applied appropriately, I believe this book merits it. John L. Allen has tacked a large and complex topic -- one that is surrounded in myth and mystery, brings out strong feelings from critics and defenders alike, and involves questions of deep, even eternal, importance. He has done it remarkably well. I've read, I believe, all of John Allen's books, including both "Cardinal Ratzinger" and "The Rise of Benedict XVI," and one thing that has always stood out for me is his dedicated, even strenuous, objectivity. That's especially evident in this book. Readers expecting Allen to confirm the apparently ridiculous portrayal of Opus Dei in "The Da Vinci Code" (I haven't read that book myself) are sure to be disappointed. But other fair-minded readers should be satisfied with a study that neither whitewashes nor savages "the most controversial force in the Catholic Church." Perhaps the most difficult part of Allen's task is solving the Rashomon dilemma: reconciling different observers' view of the same event or phenomenon. Part of the solution is Allen's deceptively simple conclusion that Opus Dei isn't right for everyone: behavior or doctrine some would see as controlling or stifling, others interpret as orderly, even helpful. There's also the difficult question of whether one person's individual experience is typical of the organization as a whole. As I said, Allen has wrestled with these questions, and clearly put a lot of thought and effort into how he asks and answers them. It's not for nothing that John Allen is so highly respected as a journalist and writer. In making his analysis, Allen employs some tools that critics of the organization seem to regard as invalid. Most importantly, he draws a distinction between Opus Dei as an organization and the individuals who make up that organization. If Opus Dei members tend to be politically conservative, does that mean Opus Dei as an organization promotes a rightist political agenda? If the director of a large company belongs to Opus Dei, can that corporation's assets be said to be "controlled" by Opus Dei? Many critics would, and have, answered both questions "Yes." Allen says No, and cites Opus Dei's emphasis from the beginning on members' independence in their secular and professional lives. Allen has interviewed Opus Dei members who are left-wing politicians, outspoken journalists, and directors of big businesses who all attest that at no time has Opus Dei or any of its leadership attempted to sway their voting, writing, or business management. Similarly, Allen does a good job placing Opus Dei in its historical context, both as a movement within the Catholic Church and as something arising from twentieth-century Spain. To those who charge the founder of Opus Dei was pro-Franco, for example, Allen concludes that he was, at best, not anti-Franco. But he also makes the valuable point t

"Dispelling the Myths, Illuminating the Reality"

Unlike other reviews, this is not a debate on the merits and flaws of Opus Dei, that unique, fascinating and often-mysterious Catholic institution. Rather it is a review of the book itself and its literary and journalistic attributes. The author, veteran "National Catholic Reporter" Vatican correspondent and noted CNN and NPR commentator, has fashioned a well-written and balanced journalistic exploration of the Church's most puzzling organizations. Opus Dei - maligned and venerated for both reality and perception - is given and objective and comprehensive look by a well-organized and polished writer/journalist. With a keen investigative eye, Mr. Allen interviewed numerous Opus Dei members, ex-members, supporters, critics, allies, and opponents to paint a comprehensive, yet nuanced portrait of the group, so prominently (and often erroneously) featured in contemporary fiction. Mr. Allen's writing is clear: the reporting, thorough; and the style, brisk and engaging. As with his similar books, including CONCLAVE, ALL THE POPE'S MEN, and THE RISE OF BENEDICT XVI, this effort helps the reader develop a thorough understanding of the group, without either a stridently supportive or adversarial agenda. The objectivity is the greatest mark of a journalist and Mr. Allen ably meets the mark.

Good book, but missed a few things.

John Allen's book on Opus Dei is an exquisitely articulate analysis of the organization and its standing in the world. His portrayal of Opus Dei as a "strong brew, an acquired taste which is clearly not for everyone" is the freshness that his independent view brings to the discussion about Opus Dei. It is something that Opus Dei has not been willing to admit -- they insist they are a lay vocation for everyone. And although it is now in the public record, it is the opinion of an outsider, and quoting from John's book is not likely to help a pressured recruit convince his director to back-off. Quite adroitly, John points out that Opus Dei has been caught up in post-Vatican II ideological wars and other "hot button issues" which have nothing to do with its message, but they do have an image problem and complaints from ex-members are too widespread in time and place to be brushed off as insignificant. John has invested considerable effort researching his book and he lays to rest many of the wild rumors and stories about Opus Dei. In an attempt to be balanced, he tells the Opus Dei story from their point of view. He says that if you want to try to understand them, you have to hear the way they think of themselves. But he also documents a number of major challenges and recommendations to Opus Dei and goes on to lay out many of the complaints against Opus Dei, although he fails to capture the personal intensity involved when Opus Dei provokes a vocational crisis in a person and the level of psychological control they impose. And his suggestion that Opus Dei is like a Catholic "Rashomon", in which everyone describes it from his own point of view seems superficially inadequate. In closing his book, John leaves everything in an upbeat note. Those with experience with Opus Dei have noted that Opus Dei still was not fully open in many of their interviews with him, as for example in the treatment of the Index of Forbidden Books and the so-called equality of women in electing the prelate. The most disturbing issue which needs to be addressed is that Opus Dei still tries to manipulate people in the extent of their vocation. Opus Dei told John that they cannot release translations of the Latin statutes and constitutions because there are difficulties in the interpretation of the "contract" by which members are joined to the prelature in Canon Law. It is done so without vows, but the contract still binds like a vow. This is after 77 years of existence. It is a couched way of saying that Opus Dei does not want to put limits on what it can ask of its members as it steps through its method of testing members and looking for vulnerabilities. It is quite clear that Opus Dei does not place the same demands upon all its members. And despite the excellence of John's book, it is the one area which needs to be clarified most. This book is no doubt a watershed standard on the debate over Opus Dei. It has been extensively researched and presented in a comp

But what about the albino monks??

The address for Opus Dei's headquarters in New York is given in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." Unfortunately, in yet another one the book's inaccuracies, Brown gives the location of the entrance to the women's quarters (which are separate because the members are celibate). The story is that many readers of Brown's book loiter outside this entrance, trying to get a "peek" into the mysterious world of Opus Dei. And what do the women members do? They invite them in for coffee, they answer all of their questions, and they give them literature so that these "gawkers" can learn more about the Prelature of Opus Dei. John Allen's book is a door opening. He was apparently granted incredible access not only to members (some of whom might have rightly resented an intrusion into their religious practices, an inherently private matter), locations and history. The result speaks for itself. This book is not propaganda, but a look inside an organization that has touched (and continues to touch) many lives. These are "normal" people, friends, who want to cooperate with God and be the best human person they can be. Although reading names of members will make this book appear "juicy" (kind of like the annual listings in Finland - released yesterday - of people's net worth or finding a list of country club members in your home town), the value of this book is how it represents a sort of Opus Dei "Glasnost" for the common man. Why are Opus Dei members given names like "numerary" or super-numerary"? Isn't that kind of "masonic"?? Short answer: they are common civil and academic terms used in Spain, where the founder of Opus Dei was born and raised. What is the purpose of Opus Dei? Doesn't it involve arcane rites and devious practices?? Short answer: it's purpose is to encourage its members to live holy, happy lives in the "real, everyday world." Isn't it a right-wing conservative group that has a lot of influence within the Catholic Church??! Short answer: at the time that Opus Dei was founded in the 1940's, it was considered hugely *liberal* and anti-clerical because it wanted priests and lay people, as well as men and woman, to work - get this! - together! For someone who desires to learn more about St. Josemaria Escriva, the Personal Prelature Opus Dei, and the universal "call to holiness," this book is square one. And sure, you'll learn about the physical mortifications and fasting. But journalistically speaking, this is no white wash. In fact, Allen openly admits to his wife's own prejudices against Opus Dei. In a world of slanted viewpoints and personal agendas, Allen is one of those rare people who just wants to "get it right." I think he did.