By Simon Caldwell ARCHBISHOP Cormac Murphy O'Connor of Westminster has given his blessing to the work of the controversial Catholic organisation, Opus Dei.
At a Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Victory, Kensington, London, in honour of Opus Dei founder Bld Josemaria Escriva, the archbishop urged the packed congregation to courage in pursuit of lives of holiness.
"BldJosemaria calls everyone to holiness," he said in his homily. "He asks each and everyone to love no matter where they work or where they are. It's the combination of work and prayer that's at the heart of the apostolate. It is my conviction that there are many who wish to live to the mind and heart of Bid Josemaria. The new millennium is a time of great challenge and great opportunity for the Church in our country. It is very clear to me that you as members of Opus Dei have a clear part to play in the mission of the Church.
"We are at the heart of Christian wimess as servants of the Father, each with a contribution to make. In our culture, in our time, we need courage. There is great work to be done. The Gospel is needed as never before. There is an emptiness in our society today, a moral vacuum. We know the only true way is the way of Jesus Christ."