Synopses & Reviews
The Roman Catholic organization known as Opus Dei seems to attract either virulent criticism or extravagant praise. It has been attacked as a "secret society," an "ecclesiastical mafia," and a cult that promotes bizarre ascetic practices, enslaves its members by mind-control techniques, and intimidates detractors through personal attacks and character assassination. But it has many powerful allies, especially in the Vatican. Indeed, Pope John Paul II is a staunch supporter of Opus ("The Work") and of its founder, the late Monsignor Escriva' de Balaguer, whose controversial beatification attracted 200,000 followers to St. Peter's Square in 1992.
Drawing on dozens of interviews with members and former members--including priests, educators, doctors, Jesuits, and insiders connected with the Vatican Curia--and mining Opus Dei's own literature for clues, Joan Estruch provides the first authoritative portrait of this elusive organization. He begins with a fascinating look at the founder of Opus Dei, uncovering much information not found in the official biographies of Escriva'. He examines, for instance, the question of Escrivas many name changes, his initially negative reaction to Vatican II (a reaction Opus now denies), his fondness for aristocratic refinements and honors, and his petition to become a member of the nobility. The founder of Opus Dei emerges as a complex, enigmatic figure, ambitious and impulsive, but also a man of extraordinary sincerity. Estruch also sheds much light on the origin and evolution of this influential and controversial movement. He reveals that, contrary to the official version, Opus Dei was not founded in 1928, but in 1939 and its birth was closely linked with the establishment of Franco's regime. And he also points out that the Jesuits--the arch-enemies of Opus Dei--were actually the model that initially inspired Escriva'. If their relations have been marked by confrontation and conflict, Estruch contends, it is due to their similarities more than their differences.
Saints and Schemers traces Opus Dei's remarkable evolution from a local diocesan movement in Madrid to an international movement with 75,000 highly disciplined members in positions of power and influence throughout the world. First published in Spain in 1993, this volume offers the most reliable source of information on Opus, its history and ideology, and its current role in the Church. It will fascinate anyone curious about this mysterious organization as well as those interested in the influence of the Catholic Church in contemporary affairs and the history of modern Spain.
Review
"Joan Estruch goes a long way toward explaining the notoriety that has plagued Opus Dei since its inception...His methodology and his tone are balanced and evenhanded....the narrative fascinates....Estruch charts the history of Opus Deis in extraordinary detail."--Michael Sean Winters, The New Republic
"This significant book tells a story that is fascinating in itself. Beyond that, it places the story in the context of the modernization of Spain and it contains highly intriguing insights into the unintended consequences of religious movements."--Peter L. Berger, Director, Institute for the Study of Economic Culture, Boston University
"This timely book should be essential reading not only for watchers of the Catholic Church but also for sociologists of religion. It carefully dissects a 'total institution' within catholicism and it clearly explains why Opus Dei has become such a controversial feature of the Church's struggle to come to terms with tradition and modernity....A model investigation of an omnipresent Catholic movement."--Jim Beckford, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [282]-292) and indexes.
About the Author
About the Author - Joan Estruch is Professor of Sociology at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Director of the Research Center in Sociology of Religion.