Concept in Definition ABC

Opus Dei means work of God, but at the same time it is the denomination that receives a institution which is part of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei founded in Spain at the end of the 1920s by the Spanish priest Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, who after his death was canonized by Pope John II.

A synthesis of the ideology of Opus Dei

In the work entitled "Camino" the founder of this institution reflects on the ideology that should inspire the members of Opus Dei. Some of the most significant moral ideas and proposals are the following:

- The proposal of a life dedicated to faith and love and inspired by the figure of Jesus Christ.

- An invitation to a kind of life based on serenity, will and Energy as everyday attitudes.

- A firm commitment to selfless work and ambition professional What approach to satisfy God, as well as a disregard for laziness and frivolous attitudes.

- The consideration that the marriage It is a sacred institution that must be founded on the love of the couple and procreation.

- The aspiration to achieve a holy and exemplary life, for which the joy and optimism become powerful weapons.

Key facts about Opus Dei

Its headquarters are in Rome and currently Opus Dei is spread throughout the world with centers and projects dedicated to religious activity, education or health. As for the members of this institution, they are divided into several categories: some with full dedication and called numeraries, aggregates who are dedicated to apostolic activity but in the background and, lastly, the supernumerary members, who do not they have the obligation to respect celibacy and that they can be married or single.

At present Opus Dei has more than 90,000 members, of which there are more than 2,000 priests.

Main criticisms

There are sectors that accuse Opus Dei of having been an institution protected and promoted by the Franco dictatorship and that from its origins has acted as a lobby to defend a ideology ultraconservative. On the other hand, there are those who maintain that it is a sectarian group and that its members are inspired by a megalomaniac and manipulative leader. There are numerous testimonies from former members who denounce permanent "brainwashing" by the top officials. Finally, Opus Dei has received harsh criticism for controlling the private lives of its members.

Photos: iStock - stock_colors / Aldo Murillo