AP Religion Writer
Feb. 8, 2006 12:00 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articles/0208davinci0208.htm
| Opus Dei in the News Media The
following news sites are provided for information purposes only.
External sites are not endorsed by the Opus Dei Awareness Network,
Inc. (ODAN), nor are the views expressed necessarily those of ODAN,
Inc. The articles are divided into the following sections: Articles and Programs about Opus Dei CNN Paula Zahn, May 19,
2006
Opus Dei Unveiled, The History Channel, May 16,
2006
Opus Dei: A Silent Revolution (2005,
52min) by Marcela Said and Jean de Certeau
Ex-Opus Dei Members Decry Blind Obedience
Opus Dei members: 'Da Vinci' distorted
Does Opus Dei Have a Dark Side?
The Real Story on Opus Dei - Not the Hollywood Version
Opus Dei lifts veil
Opus Dei in Spotlight Thanks to "Da Vinci Code"
Behind the Secret Sect of Opus Dei
Expansion of Opus Dei group home has neighbors concerned
Note: The following two articles from the National
Catholic Reporter detail extreme changes
Extreme makeover - the diocese
No Rationale for upheaval in Kansas
City
Many in Bay Area Part of Opus Dei
The New York Daily News, April
30, 2006
The Record.com, May 13, 2006 The History Channel, May 16, 2006 On Tuesday, May 16th @ 8pm eastern / pacific ...
The History Channel premieres Opus Dei
Unveiled ... a new High Definition documentary
directed and produced by George Tzimopoulos and Bill Brummel
Productions.
National Geographic Program, April 24, 2006 Opus Dei was the topic of a television program that appeared on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, April 24 at 8 pm. The program about the Da Vinci Code, with a segment about Opus Dei, appeared on the show "Is it Real?"
CNN, Paula Zahn Now,
Wednesday May 17 ODAN Representatives on CBS Sunday Morning, April 30 with Martha Teichner Opus Dei was the topic of a broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning that aired on Sunday, April 30. Martha Teichner interviewed ODAN Executive Director and former numerary Tammy DiNicola. To read the transcript: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/30/sunday/main1561631.shtml Time Magazine Cover Story on Opus Dei A recent issue of Time Magazine featured Opus Dei. Former members of Opus Dei were interviewed for the issue. To read the articles please follow this link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1186134,00.html
Geraldo At Large, Friday, May
5, 2006
Bloomberg.Com, April 26,
2006 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000088&sid=afC6cxjKOvr0&refer=culture (Note that the Opus Dei member Eduardo Guilisasti, age 53, stated that he had joined Opus Dei in 1968 after attending Opus Dei events while in high school. Despite claims by Opus Dei that they do not allow minors to join, this individual reveals that he was only 15 or 16 years old when he joined Opus Dei. Former members testify that they were told by Opus Dei directors not to tell their parents about their lifetime commitments to Opus Dei because "parents do not understand." Guilisasti's statements in this article also seem to imply that he relinguishes control of his entire salary to Opus Dei, who then supplies his minimal needs. Contrast this with the statement of Opus Dei priest Father Michael Barrett on Hardball with Chris Matthews, June 9, 2005 "MATTHEWS: Do they have to turn over their paycheck to Opus Dei? BARRETT: They don‘t turn over their paycheck." It is unfortunate that Opus Dei has not been truthful about its practices and has never admitted to any wrongdoing.) Soft-focused Opus: Reporter runs interference for controversial Catholic group Irish Echo, March 15-21, 2006 http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=17834 Catholic Group Says of 'Da Vinci Code' Film: It's Just Fiction
New York Times, February
7, 2006
By Laurie Goodstein
http://www.wwrn.org/article.php?idd=20336&sec=4&con=4 Opus Dei aims to improve its public image ahead of 'Da Vinci Code' movie
Rachel Zoll
AP Religion Writer Feb. 8, 2006 12:00 AM Da Vinci Code' Fight Brews ABC News - Good Morning America http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1593418 Opus Dei Program Aired on Monday, March 20 in Boston Opus Dei was the subject of a news program on WHDH-TV Channel 7 in Boston on Monday,March 20 on the 11 pm news, and again on Tuesday March 21 between 4-6:30 pm. ODAN Executive Director Dianne DiNicola and former numerary Tammy DiNicola were interviewed for the program. To view the transcript of this program: http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/specialreport/BO16386/ OPUS DEI Featured On BBC Radio Program
CBC French Language International
A story about Opus Dei in French aired during the
presentation of a show called "5 sur 5", a show one Radio Program on Opus Dei Opus Dei was the topic of a radio program that aired on Friday, November 4 on The Current, CBC National Radio's morning current affairs program. CBC Radio One broadcasts throughout Canada (visit http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2005/200511/20051104.html to listen on-line - scroll down to "Listen to Part 3.") Former Opus Dei numerary member Tammy DiNicola was featured on the program along with John L. Allen, Jr., whose book on Opus Dei is now available.
OPUS DEI FEATURED On MSNBC program "HARDBALL" with Chris
Matthews "Opus Dei has stake in new pope," by Matthew McAllester, Newsday, April 15, 2005. Bancroft readily acknowledged that Opus Dei had made "mistakes" by putting "too much pressure" on some new members during initiation rites. Some former members have publicized what they saw as cult-like brainwashing techniques. "We feel bad about it," said Bancroft, 35, of Stow, Mass., referring to any mishandling of new members. "Pope election: Opus Dei pulls strings," by Barry James in Vatican City, Sify.com, Monday, April 11, 2005. One of the unanswered questions about next week's secret conclave to elect the next pope is how much influence will be wielded by "the Work," the conservative Roman Catholic organisation called the Opus Dei. "Opus Dei and the Pope" by Jerome Socolovsky, NPR's Morning Edition, April 5, 2005. Members of the conservative Roman Catholic group Opus Dei occupy leadership positions throughout the church. The late Pope John Paul II made the founder a saint in 2004. But critics of the movement accuse Opus Dei of unscrupulous brainwashing. "Spotted history aside, Opus Dei forges close campus links," 'Work of God' at Princeton by Neir Eshel, The Daily Princetonian March 22, 2005. "During the past five years, the organizations affiliated with Tellez and Opus Dei have contributed more than $500,000 to University professors and programs, according to a review of tax records." "The secret life of Opus Dei," by Michael Walsh, January 26, 2005, The Guardian, UK. Ruth Kelly says the Catholic group's support is a private matter, but it is surrounded by a reactionary miasma. "Whips, Spiked Garters and Bloodshed...My Terrifying Life in Ruth Kelly's Religious Sect," by John Roche, The Mail on Sunday, UK, January 23, 2005. A former member tells how a lust for power drives the secretive Catholic organisation Opus Dei. "Reporting on Opus Dei," by John L. Allen Jr., National Catholic Reporter, July 30, 2004. John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter visited ODAN in June because he is writing a book about Opus Dei. He aims to produce a book that is journalistically serious, reliable, and balanced and welcomes people's feedback "to keep him honest."
"Secret Societies: Opus Dei," ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES, Aired on CNN, December 9, 2003 - 19:00 ET. Dianne and Tammy DiNicola of ODAN are interviewed. Tammy showed the viewers an actual cilice and disciplines or cord-like whip. "Catholics scrutinize enigmatic Opus Dei," by Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2003. "Depending on the eye of the beholder, the teaching kitchens of Lexington College, bedecked with pots and pans, mark either a place where young people learn an employable skill in a Christian setting, or a clandestine battlefield in an intense struggle for the soul of the Roman Catholic Church."
"Opening the Doors of Opus Dei, Part 1" and "Opening the Doors of Opus Dei, Part 2" by Elizabeth W. Green, Harvard Crimson magazine Fifteen Minutes, April 10, 2003. This article was published in two parts in a monthly supplement to the Harvard University student newspaper. Book about Opus Dei written by John L. Allen now available John L. Allen, Jr., Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, has written a book about Opus Dei entitled, OPUS DEI: THE FIRST OBJECTIVE LOOK BEHIND THE MYTHS AND REALITY OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FORCE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. The book was compiled using over 300 hours of interviews with people in Italy, Spain, Africa, Latin America and the United States; representatives from ODAN were also included. Several links to reviews of the book appear below. The book is published by Doubleday, 389 pages, list price $24.95. In the near future, ODAN will provide a statement about Allen’s work along with a review of the book. Reviews of Allen’s “Opus Dei”: Damian Thompson: Editor-in-chief, Catholic Herald http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/10/23/boall223.xml&sSheet=/arts/2005/10/23/bomain.html Molly Ziegler, The New York Sun: http://www.nysun.com/article/22056 John Jay Hughes, National Catholic Reporter http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005d/102105/102105p.htm
Official
Announcement of ICTOD, the International
A collaboration of three
separate groups who have experienced
Note: Regrettably, it is our
understanding that the domain name
www.opuslivre.org has been
purchased
Reflecting on this action by Opus Dei, the
question to ask is this: What does Opus Dei fear about the
ODAN supporters and those familiar with cult
information may remember the similar demise of the
OpusLivre, Opus
Dei Awareness Network, Inc. and Opus Libros have announced the
formation ICTOD was formed
to challenge the statements made by Opus Dei in its recent media
campaign The collaboration
consists of Opuslivre, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Opus Dei
Awareness Network, ICTOD believes
Opus Dei has focused on the extremes of the movie, such as bloody
use of the For more
information about ICTOD, including contact information and a
statement from the "Watergate
in Lima: Opus Dei Cardinal Accuses Bishops and the Vatican Curia,"
by
Sandro Magister, www.chiesa website, March 3, 2005. Falsified letters,
plots, and lies. The Church in Peru is at war. The target is the
archbishop of the capital, the first Opus cardinal. And he´s
fighting back. "Peru cardinal upset by Alzamora probe," By Rick Vecchio, Associated Press Writer, printed in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Wednesday, April 21, 2004."Roman Catholic Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani's ultraconservative views and cozy relationship with fugitive ex-President Alberto Fujimori have frequently helped snare him in Peru's tangled web of political intrigues. But even his adversaries were surprised when he indignantly announced recently that he had been subpoenaed to testify in an investigation into the alleged murder of his predecessor, Monsignor Augusto Vargas Alzamora - at the hands of Fujimori's now-jailed spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos." "Religious right crams into Lib branches," by Aban Contractor, Mark Metherell and Mike Seccombe, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, April 12, 2004. "A significant number of the 125 male students at Warrane College, affiliated with the University of NSW - where Opus Dei is entrusted with pastoral care - have been signed up to the Randwick-Coogee Young Liberal branch, according to a membership list seen by the Herald." "In God they trust," by by Aban Contractor, Mark Metherell and Mike Seccombe, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, April 12, 2004. "God is appearing in more and more places around the Federal Parliament, and among all sorts of people. Mike Seccombe, Aban Contractor, and Mark Metherell report on the growing link-up of church and state." "UCD launches inquiry into Opus Dei claims by students," by John Downes, Irish Times, April 3, 2004. UCD is conducting an inquiry into claims that a college lecturer told students they had to attend an Opus Dei event in order to pass their exams. "Opus Dei cookbook," Inquirer News Service, Manila, Phillippines, July 21, 2002. "Documents filed in the ongoing CIPI insolvency case at the Pasig Regional Trial Court show that even Opus Dei stalwarts can cook corporate books and engage in self-dealing a la Enron and Worldcom." "Pell, Opus Dei And Signs Of A New Elitism," by Chris McGillion, The Sydney Morning Herald, January 22, 2002. McGillion reports that the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Rev. George Pell is looking favorably towards Opus Dei. The prelate participated in a congress sponsored by the city of Rome, and the Italian Government commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of Opus Dei. "Inside Opus Dei: Strong Catholic Tastes on Campus" by Mike O'Riordan, an article from The Varsity, the University of Toronto's Student Newspaper in Toronto, Canada, July 24, 2001. Highlights Ernescliff College, a student residence whose activities of doctrinal and spiritual formation are entrusted to Opus Dei. "Clergy
alarm over 'white mafia'" by Erica Cervini, Church Storm,
Sunday, April 2001. "But Father Gonzalo Munoz, a Melbourne
Catholic priest, believes Melburnians should be wary of the group.
"The more we expose them the better...My concern is really
that they are trying to influence the church with values that are
contrary to the Gospels. It's about elitism, it's about wealth and
prestige," Father Munoz said. "My concern is that they
are going to infiltrate universities." Articles about Fr. C. John McCloskey III, Priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei "The
Crusaders," By Charles P. Pierce, The Boston Globe,
November 2, 2003. "Selling orthodoxy to Washington power brokers," by Joe Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter, September 5, 2003. Opus Dei priest brings conservatives to Catholicism. The National Catholic Reporter printed a Letter to the Editor "Manipulation of Guilt" on September 26, 2003 by a former numerary. "How
a Tyco Lawyer Channeled Windfall Into an Unlikely Cause," by
Laurie P. Cohen, The Wall Street Journal, June 4, 2003.
Indicted Counsel Mark Belnick was converted to Catholicism from
Judaism by Father C. John McCloskey III, a priest of the Prelature
of Opus Dei. "On Sept. 30, 1999, [Belnick] received the first of
several huge Tyco payouts: $3.4 million from the sale of restricted
company shares. Six days later, he e-mailed Father McCloskey to
say, 'I'm sending you my check for $2M towards my pledge to the
new Sanctuary/Altar' in the Catholic Information Center in Washington." "Opus Dei -
Quotes from Father McCloskey," by Franz Schaefer from the website
Opus Dei - The Unofficial Homepage. "Opus
Dei priest loses campus job," by Deborah Kovach, The
Trenton Times, April 10, 1990. "The Rev. Vincent Keane,
director of the Aquinas Center where the Catholic chaplaincy at
Princeton is housed, told McCloskey on Dec. 8 that he would be dismissed." Canonization of Opus Dei's Founder "Opus
Dei in the Open: A shadowy ‘church within the Church’
gets its saint," by Kenneth Woodward, Newsweek International,
October 7, 2002. "Escriva’s
genius was to fashion a movement of worldly ascetics organized in
a loose, cell-like structure." "Former
Follower Slams Opus Dei's Saint-To-Be," by Emma Ross-Thomas,
Madrid, Reuters, October 5, 2002. "But to former follower
Isabel de Armas, Opus Dei is like the Unification Church, better
known as the Moonies after its leader Sun Myung Moon. De Armas says
she even wondered during one Opus Dei meeting if she was in revolutionary
Cuba." "Vatican
proves the power of Opus Dei founder," by Bruce Johnston
in Rome and Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent, Daily Telegraph,
UK, October 5, 2002. "But the organisation, a mainly lay body
devoted to striving for perfection in daily life, particularly in
the workplace, has inspired as much suspicion as admiration." "New
Saint Reflects Lay Group's New Influence," by Frank Bruni,
New York Times, Rome, October 3, 2002. In addition, some
former members and their relatives complain that Opus Dei is cult-like
in the way it grooms new prospects, separating them from their friends
and families. The Rev. James Martin, an associate editor of America
magazine, a Jesuit-run journal, said that after he wrote an article
raising questions about the group's recruitment techniques, 'the
number of heart-wrenching phone calls that I got from parents was
astounding.'" "Controversial Priest to become Saint" by Frances D'Emilio, Chicago Sun-Times, March 8, 2002. This article reports that the founder of the conservative Roman Catholic group Opus Dei will be elevated to sainthood this October, receiving a posthumous honor in 27 years that's often bestowed on notable Catholics only after centuries. "Silence on Escriva's Canonization is No Option" by Ruth Bertels a veteran Catholic journalist January 19, 2002 from her website Taking Five, where she has a series of otherarticles on Opus Dei as well. "Priest Linked to Franco to be Canonised: Pope Helps Opus Dei Founder Towards Sainthood" by Stephen Bates, The Guardian (UK), December 21, 2001. This article discusses the Vatican's acceptance of the miracle attributed to Opus Dei's founder. Completion of Opus Dei's North American Headquarters Building
Former FBI Agent and Supernumerary Robert Hanssen Convicted of Spying True Story of Opus Dei Supernumerary in Movie "Breach"
Once again, Opus Dei members are
featured in a movie entitled "Breach."
Many wonder, how could a seemingly
pious, dedicated and hard-working man be at
For
current and past news articles about Hanssen, along with some
thoughts on the CNN Transcript. This is a transcript of an interview conducted by Bill Delaney on May 18, 2001 after former FBI Agent Robert Hanssen, supernumerary member of Opus Dei, was indicted on charges of spying for Moscow. Both ODAN and Opus Dei were represented.
"Spies,
Spooks, and the Catholic Church?" by Catharine A. Henningsen,
The American Catholic, April, 2001. Questions the secrecy
surrounding Opus Dei, given its influence in the corridors of power. "Opus
Dei's Secret Revealed: It Takes Spies in From the Cold,"
by Eugene Kennedy, Religion News Service, 2001. The arrest of accused
FBI spy Robert Hanssen shines a spotlight on Opus Dei, the enigmatic
Catholic group he belonged to. "This intersection of secret
group and secret agent, however, demands that Opus Dei either reveal
itself and its operations more fully or find that questions and
doubts about it will multiply in the future." Miscellaneous Articles about Opus Dei Book sheds light on Opus Dei
Véronique Duborgel, a 44-year old kindergarten teacher and former
Opus Dei supernumerary,
To read the full article by Bell: "Trial near for 3rd ex-Tyco exec," by Jayne O'Donnell and Greg Farrell, USA Today, April 6, 2004. "It turns out that Belnick, once a conservative Jew, donated some of that money to a conservative branch of the Catholic Church known as Opus Dei. This was after Belnick quietly converted to Catholicism [through Fr. McCloskey -- see Wall Street Journal article.] without telling his wife, parents or other family members." "Vatican Intrigues: 'The Passion,' the Pope, and the Phantom Review," by Sando Magister, February 6, 2004, L'espresso. The preview of Mel Gibson’s film sends the curia into confusion. Dziwisz and Navarro speak, and then recant. Opus Dei plays a role as well. And two thunderbolts fall from the heavens.
"A
compromise bailed out Dance Marathon 2003 and its initial beneficiary,"
by
Matt Donnelly, The Daily Northwestern, February 26, 2003.
"People on the listserv clicked over to MEF's site, and their
eyes caught what Hall, Wessel and two DM executive boards didn't:
a line at the bottom reading, 'MEF is inspired by the social teachings
of the Catholic Church and the Prelature of Opus Dei.' A pair of
links took visitors from MEF's site to Opus Dei's Web site for the
United States." Opus Dei lifts lid without revealing secrets, by Isambard Wilkinson, The Daily Telegraph, London, March 23, 2002. In this article, numerary Luis Gordon shrugs off criticism about Opus Dei's use of corporal mortification by saying, "Do you like pretty women? So do I. Do you know what effort they make to get a nice figure, and increase their height with high heels -- this is a very hard mortification, much more than a cilice." When asked about the accusations that Opus Dei is dripping with worldly riches, Gordon said it was impossible to gauge its wealth. "There are no figures." "Opus
Dei prestige on display at centenary event," By John L.
Allen. Jr., Rome, National Catholic Reporter, January 19,
2002. Allen reported on the Rome Congress, which marked the centennial
of Opus Dei founder's birthday. The Congress, which took place January
7-11, drew 1,200 people from 57 countries. American VIPs included
Archbishop John Myers of Newark, N.J., a member of Opus Dei’s
Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum,
Republican of Pennsylvania. Santorum told NCR he is not a member
of Opus Dei, but an admirer of Escriva. He also "told
NCR that a distinction between private religious conviction and
public responsibility, enshrined in John Kennedy’s famous
speech in 1960 saying he would not take orders from the Catholic
church if elected president, has caused 'much harm in America.'" "Catholic Group Opus Dei purchases Boston-area estate for use as spiritual center," by Mary Price, Culpepper News, February 12, 2001. "Longlea, an 844-acre estate in Boston,Virginia (80 miles from Washington DC), was sold to Opus Dei, a secretive Roman Catholic organization, for $7.4 million. According to Jack Luther, facilities director at what is to be renamed the Longlea Conference Center, an anonymous donor located the property for Opus Dei and supplied the entire purchase price. According to the Rev. William Stetson, a priest with Opus Dei in Washington, D.C., the property will be used as "a center for spiritual conferences and retreats."
National Public Radio's Weekend Edition. (Scroll down and click on Opus Dei.) This is a Real Audio segment from Weekend Edition that was broadcast on July 25, 1998. Lynn Neary reports from Rome on some of the controversial aspects of Opus Dei, and she interviews several authors including Michael Walsh, Fr. James Martin, and Maria del Carmen Tapia. The segment is 16 minutes long. "The
Vatican's Own Cult," by Robert Hutchison, The Guardian,
September 10, 1997. Article on the influence of this dangerous religious
sect. Robert Hutchison is the author of the book "Their Kingdom
Come: Inside the Secret World of Opus Dei." Revised December 13, 2010 |
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