The Da Vinci Code and Opus Dei: Who is Telling the Truth
With the flood of publicity likely from occur from The Da Vinci
Code, Opus Dei, the organization cast as the 'baddies', are
demanding cuts from the movie 'so as not to offend Catholics'.
Whether the publicity will actually offend Catholics are just
give Opus Dei some unwelcome attention is open to question.
http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1710298,00.html
"The Da Vinci Code's depiction of Opus Dei is inaccurate, both
in the overall impression and in many details" according to
their web site http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&p=7017 and
they are worried that the 'inaccuracies' will be also in the
movie.
Is Dan Brown's book more fiction than fact - as far as its
representation of Opus Dei?
It is hard to know for sure, but there are a few things which do
stand out in the midst of all the fuss. Opus Dei's are trying to
turn people's attention to the good work of their members rather
than the more controversial aspects of their lifestyle.
Certainly their main guiding principle of 'Finding God in Work
and Daily Life' is very appealing to many of us.
However, the practice of self-mortification by some of their
members leaves them open to accusations of being a highly
dubious organization. Opus Dei do not try to deny that this
happens. Indeed their website attempts to justify
self-mortification rather than disclaim it.
"Members of Opus Dei also attempt to respond generously to
Christ's invitation to take up the Cross by traditional
Christian practices of self-denial, including, in some cases,
use of the disciplines and the cilice."
A cilice, by the way, is a spiked chain worn around the upper
thigh for two hours each day.
One ex-member claims: "We were encouraged to 'draw a little
blood' and frequently told how 'the Father' the founder of the
organization- drew so much blood that he spattered the walls and
ceiling with it.". http://www.odan.org/media_roche.htm
Yet Opus Dei claim "These practices of Christian asceticism are
no more harmful to health than are athletic training or the
diets followed by many to improve their health or appearance.".
Which seems pretty out-of-touch, no matter how well-intended the
explanation. They are clutching at straws to try and justify a
bizarre medieval practice.
Of course members of Opus Dei are perfectly entitled to cause
themselves unnecessary pain if they want, but they can hardly
expect the rest of us to believe that this fits in with their
attempts to live lives which are "peaceful and brimming over
with joy.".
Although Opus Dei website tries to meet the issues raised by The
Da Vinci Code head on; it makes no mention whatsoever of much
longer-term assailant on their carefully crafted image.
The Opus Dei Awareness Network (ODAN) has been setup to help
those who have been damaged by Opus Dei. "ODAN is a worldwide
community of people who have had painful experiences as a result
of their association with Opus Dei". http://www.odan.org/
"ODAN challenges many of Opus Dei's Questionable Practices
because of the way they affect an individual's personal freedom,
choices and family life.
The following practices of Opus Dei are not common knowledge and
need to be examined and questioned. The serious issues ODAN
raises are based on a collection of first-hand personal
experiences.
- Corporal mortification - Aggressive recruitment / undue
pressure to join - Lack of informed consent and control of
environment - Alienation from families".
No doubt there are many good, well-meaning people at Opus Dei,
but it seems likely at the very least that particular
individuals have been abusing the power they gain from being
members. The Catholic church has long shown itself to be
appallingly bad a dealing with 'bad apples' in its midst. We
only have to look at how it handled accusations of child abuse
against its priests to see that (it just transferred the
culprits). Whether it handles the darker aspects of Opus Dei
properly only time will tell.
The Opus Dei Awareness Network (ODAN) claim that their
information comes from first-hand personal experiences. Their
claims, if proven, are therefore a much greater threat to Opus
Dei than the Da Vinci Code. It would be good if ODAN could have
some of the publicity going to Opus Dei. Perhaps then we would
get some real answers out of Opus Dei and not just the media
games and PR spin going on just now.
Maybe neither Opus Dei nor The Da Vinci Code are telling the
truth. Perhaps it is ODAN.