Opus Dei accepts Cardinal Hume's memo on pastoral guidelines

CARDINAL Hume has taken the unusual step of making public a statement addressed to the head of Opus Dei in England, in a bid to allay fears arising from recent press reports about the organisation.
The Cardinal made pastoral recommendations for the apostolic activity of the association in his diocese which were promptly accepted by Opus Dei as in line with their current practices.
The Cardinal's statement said:
For a considerable time I have studied carefully certain public criticisms made about the activities of Opus Dei in Britain and I have also examined the correspondence addressed to me on the same subject. Some of these letters have been critical; some have expressed sincere admiration for the personal qualities of members of Opus Dei and appreciation of their influence, 1 have also had meetings with those responsible for Opus Dei in this country.
Opus Dei is a movement of priests and lay people within the Church which has the official approval of the Holy See. However, in so far as it is established within the diocese of Westminster, I have a responsibility, as bishop, to ensure the welfare of the whole local Church as well as the best interests of Opus Dei itself.
As a result of this study I have made known to those responsible for Opus Dei in this country what I consider to be the right recommendations for the future activity of its members within the diocese of Westminster. I now wish to make public these four recommendations. Each of them arises from one fundamental principle: that the procedures and activities of an international movement, present in a particular diocese, may well have to be modified prudently in the light of the cultural differences and legitimate local customs and standards of the society within which that international body seeks to work.
These recommendations must not be seen as a criticism of the integrity of the members of Opus Dei or of their zeal in promoting their
apostolate. I am making them public in order to meet understandable anxieties and to encourage sound pastoral practice within the diocese.
The four recommendations are as follows: 1. No person under eighteen years of age should be allowed to take any vow or long-term commitment in association with Opus Dei.
2. It is essential that young people who wish to join Opus Dei should first discuss the matter with their parents or legal guardians. If there are, by exception, good reasons for not approaching their families, these reasons should. in every case, he discussed with the local bishop or his delegate.
3. While it is accepted that those who join Opus Dei take on the proper duties and responsibilities of membership. care must be taken to respect the freedom of the individual; first, the freedom of the individual to join or to leave the organisation without undue pressure being exerted; secondly, the freedom of the individual at any stage to choose his or her own spiritual director. whether or not the director is a member of Opus Dci.
4. Initiatives and activities of Opus
Dei. wihin the diocese of Westminster, should carry a clear indication of their sponsorship and management.
I am confident that these lour guidelines will in no way hinder Opus Dei in the apostolic work to which it has committed itself. but will help it to adapt to the traditional spirituality and instincts of our people.
'will naturally remain in close touch with priests and members of Opus Dei within the diocese of Westminster.
The Cardinal met the Counsellor of Opus Dei on December 2 and the next day the Secretariet of Opus Dei in Britain issued this statement: The Counsellor of Opus Dei in Britain, the Very Rev Philip Sherrington, esterday received from his Fiminenee Cardinal Basil Hume a
e MC rindum on the pastoral practice or Opus Dei in the Diocese of Westminster, where Opus Dci has been working continuously since 1947, with the constant blessing and support of all the successive Cardinals who have had pastoral care of this See.
The Counsellor of Opus Dei in Britain welcomes this memorandum and the recommendations made by the Cardinal, which are in line with what members of Opus Dei have always sought to do in Britain and worldwide.
As is well-known, the spirit of Opus Dei is based or a great love of freedom. It has always defended and will dellead personal freedom and responsibility, not only in the exercise 01' one's profession but also in all aspects of life. including that of joining or leaving the Institution. The members of Opus Dei in the Diocese of Westminster arc very grateful to Cardinal Hume for his fatherly care and blessing and, as in all the dioceses where there are members of Opus .Dei. they always seek to remain very closely united to the Pope and to the local Bishop. praying daily for them and for their intentions.
Sources close to the Cardinal were this week anxious to avoid an impression that there was any antagonism between the two sides. Opus Dei had received the sort of publicity which the Cardinal did not like seeing any Catholic institution getting.
The guidelines focus on the association's apostolate with young people, though the majority of members of Opus Dei are married. Sources at Archbishop's House said that Cardinal Hume wanted to support an organisation approved by the holy Sec and to find if possible positive pastoral principles to meet objections which had been raised by apparently genuine people.
Liverpool
THE CHIEF Constable of Mersey side. lair Kenneth Oxford, has publicly disassociated himself from "unfair comment" to which Archbishop Derek Worlock, of Liverpool, had been exposed since the Toxteth disturbances this summer.