The "Answer" According to Real Catholic TV

As promised yesterday, here it is.  But read below for my opposing viewpoint.



As we know, in matters such as these, there are many areas in which good faithful Catholics can disagree -this is one of them!  With all due respect to those good and sincere people associated with Opus Dei, I now issue my "caveat emptor".  As you examine the site that Voris recommended, I suggest that you review the materials of the Opus Dei Awareness Network at http://www.odan.org/.  What you'll read are the accounts of ex-members of Opus Dei who relay their stories of how they were subjected to subtle thought reform and increasing mental control.  Note that there are few complaints about the doctrine espoused therein; the focus lies in how they were treated.

Opus Dei is by no means the only group to practice such tactics.  There have been similar complaints about Regnum Christi; the sad, sordid story of Father Maciel is a typical tale of what can happen when one or few people exercise near-total mental/emotional control of their followers.  Other of the "new liturgical movements" have come under similar fire: Focalare, etc. 

Some of you might recall that some of the "Catholic charismatic" groups also were caught up in such practices and some shut down by their local bishops; with this last scenario I am all too familiar as such was my experience.  I therefore know first-hand the harm that can be done - in the name of God - by individuals who seek to arrogate total authority over other people.

Therefore I disagree most vehemently with Mr. Voris on this topic.  Opus Dei is no answer and in fact may well bring its own slew of serious problems.