G CROAL IS WRONG to connect Opus Dei with the recent reminder by the Pope to priests of the secret nature of Confession (Catholic Herald, 22 April) I do not know why a link has been made at all; in fact his letter on the routine misuse of confession is a very grave calumny against every priest of Opus Dci. The fact that "G Croal" is just a pseudonym allows me to write this without harm to his name.
Perhaps it is worth reminding him that "A confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See" (cf Code of Canon Law, Canon 1388). Therefore every Catholic priest is aware of the enormity of ever divulging anything that he has heard in confession.
It is a pity that G Croal believes these slurs', made by one or two well-known critics of Opus Dei, when they have been emphatically denied by us and shown to be false. The accusation is obviotisly ridiculous; if it were true, those who were passed the information would rebel, because they themselves would feel unable to speak in confidence let alone confess with priests of Opus Dei.
In consequence of this I am most surprised that the Catholic Herald even considered the publication of G Croal's accusation. The letter should have bee thrown immediately into th wastepaper basket.
Andrew Soane Director Information Opus Dei Prelature