Opus Dei answers wide attacks

MEMBERS of the Catholic association, Opus Dei reacted strongly in self defence to an extraordinary full-page attack in The Times this week.
The attack claimed to he based on private documents supplied by an ex-member of Opus Dei, Dr John Roche. It suggested that Opus Dei was working for its own undisclosed interests, was unhealthy and physically and psychologically harmful, was unorthodox, ordered members not to disclose their membership even to close relatives and to use unusual forms of self mortification.
Dr Roche was reported as having come forward because the international association was setting itself up as a church within the Church and seeking a unique position. Journalists from The Times also claimed that Opus,Dei had business and political influence.
Dr Roche was not available for comment, but Mr John Horrigan, press officer for Opus Dei in England said: "I find the accusation that Opus Dei is a church within a church particularly offensive. Opus Dei is and always will remain a part of the Church, desiring to 'serve the Church as the Church wishes to be served', in the words of its founder, Mgr Escriva de Balaguer,"
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