Bishops monitored over Opus Dei status

From Desmond O'Grady in Rome CATHOLIC bishops worldwide are being asked if they want to give greater power to the Opus Dei organisation.
Vatican sources say a draft proposal to make Opus Dei a worldwide prelature has been sent to all bishops.
Whatever the bishops say about the controversial organisation, the final word rests with Pope John Paul who is said to have already given a halfassurance to Opus Dei that they will be granted a worldwide prelature.
At present Opus Dei, which has 72,000 members of 80 nationalities, has to collaborate with local bishops and report to the Vatican Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes (it is classified as a secular institute — that is, its members live a dedicated life but engage in normal working activities without any indication that they belong to Opus Dei).
If Opus Dei became a worldwide prelature, it would be responsible only to its own bishop and depend from the Vatican Congregation for Bishops. It would be in a unique situation.
The Pope has expressed warm approval of Opus Dei and there are credible reports that he wants them to work in Poland.
Many Vatican Cardinals, including the influential Sebastiano Baggio, head of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, are favourable to Opus Dei for its orthodoxy, fidelity, efficiency, generosity and ability to convince large groups to attend ecclesiastical functions.
The depth of hierarchial sympathy was shown when 1,300 bishops responded affirmatively to Opus Dei requests for support in the campaign to begin the canonisation process for Mgr Escriva who died in Rome in 1975. Formal proceedings in this sense were opened last year.
Some Bishops, however, have reservations about Opus Dei. Last year the Times carried an article strongly critical of the Opus Die by a former members, Dr John Roche of Oxford University.
A spokesman for Opus Dei in London commented this week: "I am in no position to affirm or deny anything. All information about the juridicial position of Opus Dei is the property of the Holy See."