OPPOSITION NOTES An investigative series on those who oppose women’s rights and reproductive health

A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

Introduction

pus Dei (Latin for “the Work of God”) is one of the most conservative orders in the Catholic church. Founded in Spain, Opus Dei is especially influential Oin Latin America because of the relationships it has cultivated in political and business circles. Members and sympathizers of Opus Dei hold high-level positions in various governments and it is one of the main forces supporting conservative activities in the region. It vehemently opposes the promotion and provision of a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. In just the last decade, people tied to Opus Dei participated in two right-wing coups d’état in Latin America — in Venezuela in 2002 and in Honduras in 2009. In addition, some of the leading personalities on the Latin American right were educated in Opus Dei schools or have ties to it either as members or sympathizers. Opus Dei’s participation in the business world has also been significant. There, many of its members tend to display a degree of pragmatism that is not apparent in their approach to sexual and family relations, positions that have affected public policy in countries such as The fictional events in The Da Vinci Code do not touch on Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina real-life events, such as the questionable businesses in and others. which prominent members of Opus Dei have been involved, However, the public face of Opus Dei has perhaps been most affected not by its activities as well as the group’s affinity for military regimes and or ideas, many of which are questionable, but extreme right-wing governments, not to mention its rather with the publication of the novel The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown which has sold about uncompromising opposition to sexual and reproductive rights. 100 million copies worldwide, and presents Opus Dei as an evil and even murderous semi-secretive organization. However, the fictional events in the book do not touch on real-life events, such as the questionable businesses in which prominent members of Opus CATHOLICS FOR CHOICE Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

KEY FINDINGS Dei have been involved, as well as the group’s affinity for military regimes and • Since its founding in 1928, Opus Dei has sought to wield a conservative influence extreme right-wing governments, not to over governments and Catholic organizations around the world. Opus Dei is especially mention its uncompromising opposition powerful in Latin America, but has members in many other countries. to sexual and reproductive rights. • Opus Dei wields power through financial and political influence. Global assets were More recently, in 2008, the Spanish calculated to be about $2.8 billion in 2008. movie Camino was released. It is • Members of Opus Dei present a public face that emphasizes traits such as good based on a true story about Opus works and the promotion of education. Dei’s manipulation of its supporters, • Opus Dei members have supported brutal military regimes, including those of Augusto specifically, the case of Alexia González Pinochet and General Juan Carlos Ongania. Opus Dei members are also said to have participated in the failed coup d’état against Hugo Chavez in 2002. Barros — the youngest daughter in a family • Members of Opus Dei vehemently oppose legislation that allows divorce or civil that belongs to Opus Dei. The girl died marriages, as well as homosexuality and contraception. in 1985 at 14 years of age, and is in the • While 55 percent of Opus Dei’s members are women, they have a subordinate role process of being canonized.1 within the organization. Former members say there is a “clear contempt for women” One of Opus Dei’s priorities has been within the organization’s teachings. to oppose sexual freedoms and promote • Opus Dei’s leadership influences media coverage of Opus Dei by befriending media conservative morals. Its conservative directors and owners, rather than responding to reporters or writers who might be crusade gathered momentum during the critical of Opus Dei. In recent years it has engaged more in public relations efforts, reign of Pope John Paul II and continues going on video and courting select reporters. during that of Benedict XVI, even though • Many members of Opus Dei have had successful careers, apparently thanks to the the latter does not appear to have lent order’s selective recruitment of rising stars and its emphasis on hard work. his personal support to the order in the • Former members have called Opus Dei “the most conservative, retrograde and manner that John Paul II did. sectarian organization of the Roman Catholic church.” • Public awareness of Opus Dei has increased thanks to the fictional portrayal of its Many individual initiatives by Opus activities in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and the Spanish film Camino. Dei members center on its fight against reproductive and sexual rights and are highlighted in Romana, the official bulletin of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, and in other Opus Dei publications. This paper examines the work of Opus Dei and the impact it has had on politics and reproductive rights throughout Latin America.

Background

Opus Dei was founded in Madrid, Spain, on October 2, 1928,2 by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás (1902-1975). He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 2002. The son of María Dolores Albás Blanc, who came from a family of landowners, and José Escrivá, a fabric merchant whose business went bankrupt around the outbreak of World War 1,3 Escrivá de Balaguer became a priest as had many of his ancestors on his mother’s side.4 In 1922, when he was a seminarian, his superiors named him Inspector del

2 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

Seminario (Inspector of the Seminary), During his stay in Madrid, he was making him responsible for maintaining hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. There discipline among his classmates both in are competing claims as to why this was the classroom and on excursions.5 so. Some argue that it was due to a real He studied law at the Universidad de personality disorder; others that it was Zaragoza and taught in a high school in a trick to escape from the Republicans. that city, where in 1927 he published He also took refuge in the Honduran his first work, titled “La forma del consulate for six months.11 matrimonio en la actual legislación On April 28, 1939, he returned to española”6 (“Marriage under Current Madrid in a military truck along with Spanish Law”), a critique of civil Franco’s troops, who occupied the city marriage. that same day.12 Central to the enigma that surrounds Two years later, in 1941, Opus Dei Escrivá de Balaguer is the contradiction was recognized at the diocesan level by between the freedom he espoused the bishop of Madrid. in some areas of life (for example, in Given its ideological affinity for business practices) and his support for Franco’s dictatorship, Opus Dei restrictions in people’s sexual lives, and flourished in Spain. Today, Opus Dei his interest in maintaining “order” and supporters tend to skim over this fact. “discipline” within society. To explain They say, for example, that Escrivá de this, some note that his father José was Balaguer saw Franco as a “lesser evil” too honest a businessman, which may compared to the danger of a “communist have led, in part, to the bankruptcy of his business.7 Central to the enigma that surrounds Escrivá de Balaguer According to official versions of Opus Dei’s history, the organization was is the contradiction between the freedom he espoused in founded on October 2, 1928, in Madrid some areas of life (for example, in business practices) and when Escrivá de Balaguer had a “divine his support for restrictions in people’s sexual lives, and his inspiration.” He described it as follows: “I was enlightened about all of the interest in maintaining “order” and “discipline” within society. Work…I thanked the Lord…From that day this mangy ass realized the beautiful government.”13 However, the founder and heavy burden that the Lord, in His did not have that attitude, as evidenced, inexplicable goodness, had put upon his for example, by a congratulatory letter shoulders. That day the Lord founded he sent from Rome to Franco on May the Work.”8 23, 1958. A copy was published in the On February 14, 1930, almost two magazine Razón Española in January- years after the founding of Opus Dei, February 2001.14 Escrivá de Balaguer created a separate In the letter, he sent his “most sincere but connected organization for women. congratulations” to the dictator because Some analysts consider the founding Franco (“the authorized voice of the of Opus Dei as one of the many Head of State”) had proclaimed that attempts by conservative thinkers to “the Spanish Nation considers it most “rechristianize” Spain in the face of the honorable to observe the Law of God, socialist, revolutionary and agnostic in accordance with the doctrine of the currents that prevailed in some sectors of one and only Holy Roman, Catholic and that society at the time.9 Apostolic Church, with Faith inseparable Escrivá de Balaguer lived in Madrid from the national conscience that will from April 1927 to October 1937,10 when inspire its legislation.” he fled using false documents to the zone Escrivá continued: “Being loyal to the occupied by Franco’s forces during the Catholic tradition of our people one will Spanish civil war (1936-39). always find, together with divine blessing

3 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

for our duly constituted authorities, the The head of Matesa, Juan Vilá Reyes, best guarantee of government acting who was convicted for his irregular correctly, and the security of a fair and business deals, “learned his business lasting peace in the heart of the national skills in the Escuela de Empresariales del community.” Opus,”19 while Mariano Navarro Rubio, He concluded: “I ask God our a member of Opus Dei, aided him in his Father to fill Your Excellency with all fraudulent activities. manner of good fortune and to give you The founder of Rumasa, a holding abundant grace as you carry out the company involved in multimillion-dollar high mission entrusted to you. Receive, fraudulent dealings, and its president Your Excellency, testimony of my most until the Spanish government sacked distinguished personal consideration with him, was José María Ruiz-Mateos, a assurances of my prayers for all of your supernumerary, or layman, who had family.” been in Opus Dei for about 20 years.20 In 1946, Escrivá de Balaguer moved Over a 23-year period, Ruiz-Mateos to Rome to share with the pope the admitted to having given about 4 billion “universal scope” of Opus Dei, which pesetas to Opus Dei. As it was a private promoted the idea of cultivating company, it was not clear whether the “sanctity” through hard work. In money was his own, or if it came from 1952, Escrivá de Balaguer founded the the coffers of Rumasa.21 Universidad de Navarra, the largest Opus Dei’s intervention to help the educational institution controlled by Vatican Bank in the bankruptcy of Opus Dei.15 As of 2006, Opus Dei had 15 Banco Ambrosiano in 1982, in exchange universities with about 80,000 students.16 for political and ideological concessions, has also been the subject of much Under Pope John Paul II, Opus Dei’s influence expanded discussion. significantly, as evidenced, for example, by the naming On August 5, 1982, Pope John Paul of the doctor, journalist and Opus Dei member Joaquín II, who very much sympathized with the conservative tendencies of Opus Dei, Navarro-Valls as director of the Holy See’s press office. established it as a personal prelature, or Under his management in the 1990s, the Vatican started group that carries out specific pastoral activities and is supervised by the using the media in a far more consistent and forceful Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. manner to promote its conservative worldview. The prelate is elected by an executive congress called for that purpose and In Spain, between the mid-1960s to holds the office for life. The first prelate the beginning of the 1970s, General was Escrivá de Balaguer. Upon his death Franco chose a number of ministers from in 1975, he was succeeded by Alvaro among the ranks of Opus Dei members.17 del Portillo (1914-1994), whom Opus Admiral Carrero Blanco is considered to Dei wants to canonize.22 He in turn have been one of the main protectors of was succeeded by Javier Echevarría Opus Dei in Francoist Spain.18 He was Rodríguez, the current prelate. Born in killed in a terrorist attack in December Madrid in 1932, the latter has belonged 1973. to Opus Dei since 1948. He holds a Opus Dei attracts businessmen to JUD, meaning that his has a doctorate in its ranks and members have been both canon and civil law.23 On April 9, implicated in two large scandals. One, 1997, during a visit to Sicily, he declared known as Matesa (short for Maquinaria “A survey says that 90 percent of the Textil del Norte de Espana, SA) occurred physically and mentally handicapped in 1969, the other, known as Rumasa are the children of parents who entered (short for Ruiz Mateos, Sociedad marriage in an impure state.”24 Anónima), in 1983.

4 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

The expansion of Opus Dei outside and Forja), Escrivá called on his followers Timeline of Spain happened after World War to use “saintly intransigence” and “holy II: Portugal (1945), England and Italy ingenuity” (“la santa intransigencia” and January 9, 1902 — Josemaría Escrivá (1946), France and Ireland (1947), “la santa pillería”) to promote and defend de Balaguer is born in the town of United States (1949), Latin America Opus Dei’s religious principles. Barbastro, Spain. (1949-69), Australia (1963), Nigeria and He wrote: October 2, 1928 — Escrivá de Balaguer Belgium (1965). founds Opus Dei. “We cannot simply fold our arms February 14, 1930 — Escrivá de Under Pope John Paul II, Opus Dei’s when a subtle persecution condemns Balaguer creates the women’s branch of influence expanded significantly, as the church to die of starvation, putting Opus Dei. evidenced, for example, by the naming it outside the sphere of public life, February 14, 1943 — The Priestly of the doctor, journalist and Opus Dei and above all obstructing its part in Society of the Holy Cross, the branch of member Joaquín Navarro-Valls as Opus Dei for priests, is founded. education, culture and family life. director of the Holy See’s press office, October 17, 1952 — The Universidad These are not our rights; they are a position he occupied from 1984 to de Navarra is founded by Escrivá de God’s rights. He has entrusted them to 2006.25 Under his management in Balaguer. us Catholics so that we may exercise the 1990s, the Vatican started using June 26, 1975 — Escrivá de Balaguer them!”27 the media in a far more consistent dies in Rome. and forceful manner to promote its “May such ‘fanaticism’ for the Faith as February 2, 1978 — The process of conservative worldview. yours is become stronger every day, canonizing Escrivá de Balaguer begins. August 5, 1982 — Pope John Paul II On March 31, 2010, in the middle for it is the sole defense of the one recognizes Opus Dei as a personal of a worldwide scandal related to Truth.”28 prelature. accusations against pedophile priests, “Pray that your holy ingenuity may May 17, 1992 — Beatification of Escrivá young university students from Opus achieve what your intelligence cannot de Balaguer. Dei centers delivered a letter to the pope attain, so that you may give more April 20, 1994 — Pope John Paul II in which they expressed their solidarity service of a better kind to everyone.”29 names Javier Echevarría as Prelate of and their gratitude “for five years of “There can be no giving ground in Opus Dei. papacy, for his example in the search dogma in the name of a naive ‘breadth October 6, 2002 — Escrivá de Balaguer is canonized in Rome. for truth, for his untiring service, and for of belief,’ for if anyone acted in this the example of openness to dialogue that way he would risk putting himself he constantly offers us, to search for the out of the church. Instead of winning 26 truth of things.” a benefit for others he would harm himself.”30 Saintly Intransigence and Holy Ingenuity: A Summary of Escrivá’s He advised young members of Opus Thoughts and Writings Dei to attain prestige in their professional Acting in lockstep with the Vatican, careers in order to use it over time to Opus Dei opposes, inter alia, abortion, benefit the political and religious plans of contraception, divorce and gay marriage. the group: In particular, Opus Dei authors take “This advice is for you, since you pride in their opposition to divorce and are still young and have just started their contempt for civil matrimony, along your way. As God deserves as well as their radical opposition to everything, try to be outstanding contraceptives and homosexuality. professionally, so that you will later Escrivá’s writings tended towards be able to spread your ideas more describing and mandating an all- effectively.”31 encompassing vision of how members of Opus Dei should lead their lives. It In The Forge, Escrivá noted how was later that the specifics emerged from members should participate in other other members as regards public policy institutions of which they were a part: mandates — especially around the family. “Struggle to make sure that those In his written works, including The human institutions and structures Way, Furrow and The Forge (Camino, Surco, in which you work and move with

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the full rights of a citizen are in He continued: accordance with the principles which “Faith teaches us that the rule govern a Christian view of life.”32 governing our lives should not be the He also prescribed that: selfish search for pleasure, because only renunciation and sacrifice lead to true “We have to stand out boldly against love…the various ways of dissolving those ‘damning freedoms’ — those marriage today, such as free unions daughters of license, granddaughters and ‘trial marriages,’ and even pseudo- of evil passions, great granddaughters marriage between two people of the of original sin — which come down, as same sex, are expressions of anarchic you can see, in a direct line from the freedom, which is wrongly presented as devil.”33 the true liberation of man.” “As responsible citizens and One of the distinctive traits of Opus Dei is that members, Christians, we should do everything especially numeraries and supernumeraries, are subject possible to defend and promote the to an ordered life plan, which has come to include bodily undeniable values in this fundamental area for the life of the church self-punishment and the constant guidance of a “spiritual and — let’s not forget — for civil society director.” as well. This is one of the most urgent tasks of the new evangelization. The duty to disseminate the correct In The Forge, Escrivá also refers to the doctrine on marriage and the family is importance conferred within Opus Dei a responsibility of everyone.”36 to “spiritual direction” and he advises One of the distinctive traits of Opus Dei complete sincerity and docility: is that members, especially numeraries “Don’t object to someone poking at and supernumeraries, are subject to an your soul with supernatural sense and ordered life plan, which has come to holy shamelessness to check how true include bodily self-punishment and the it is that you are able — and willing — to constant guidance of a “spiritual director.” give glory to God.”34 Members of Opus Dei formally make several religious commitments when they In his book El Matrimonio Cristiano, join, including: published by Opus Dei’s publishing “(To attend) Mass and receive house Minos, the priest Julio Badui Communion each day and Confession Dergal maintains that civil marriage each week, the habitual practice of is not valid for Catholics and that it is mental prayer (up to one hour daily), useful only because it protects the rights reading the New Testament and reading of spouses and their children, but “this from a spiritual book, praying the blessed civil marriage by itself is does not have rosary, examination of conscience, any value before God. Catholics who are monthly retreat and a spiritual retreat married in civil ceremonies or who live once per year, the constant search for in free union should get married within the presence of God, divine filiation the church, or if they don’t want to do as a fundamental part of one’s interior so, they should separate.”35 life, the frequent repetition of spiritual On January 1, 2006, Javier Echavarría communions, acts of atonement, brief released a letter on the family aimed at and fervent prayers, etc. Opus Dei members and supporters. In “The daily practice of the spirit the letter he asks that “everywhere the of sacrifice and penitence, including true nature and dignity of the family corporal mortification, depending on the institution be respected and defended.” age, health and personal circumstances of

each person…

6 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

“Special importance is given to A typical trait of Opus Dei is the profession and work, the cornerstone polished and educated appearance of of saintliness and of the mission, its officials. Their image contrasts with within which members of Opus Dei the intransigence with which they and try to acquire a series of human and the other members of the organization supernatural virtues (laboriousness, a are prepared to impose conservative spirit of service, integrity, loyalty, self ideas on the whole of society, over any denial, etc.).”37 opposition. As evidenced here, Opus Dei not In keeping with its ideals, the women only rejects the concept that sexual of Opus Dei avoid wearing revealing and reproductive rights are individual clothing, including sleeveless dresses and freedoms, but calls people to actively somewhat short skirts. Likewise, they fight against these ideas, something do not stay alone with people of the which Opus Dei members do daily in opposite sex.38 many countries around the world. In general, Opus Dei members prefer to influence the owners and directors of media, seeking to instill in A Public Face and them a favorable attitude toward Opus Private Strategies Dei rather than directly confronting reporters and writers who criticize the Opus Dei has developed a well-deserved organization. Opus Dei spokespersons reputation for recruiting and attracting and media managers in various countries people who are among the best and the tend to be well informed about criticisms brightest, those who are ambitious and of the organization and have developed have significant abilities and a penchant a well-oiled media machine that quickly for hard work. This, in turn, enables its moves to mitigate attacks by issuing members to quickly advance in their immediate denials when they come chosen fields, where they use their under criticism. Prime examples of this influence to promote conservative ideas. include the work of Joaquín Navarro- Unlike other conservative groups, Valls at the Vatican’s press office where Opus Dei tends to avoid participating he operated in an exemplary manner in strident demonstrations as a means and the well-funded and international of promoting its worldview. It does campaign to repudiate some of the more not conduct protests in the streets or extreme accusations in The Da Vinci Code. seek out media attention for its own activities. Instead, it prefers to act using Opus Dei spokespersons and media managers in various its influence on political elites and in, the longer term, through education and countries tend to be well informed about criticisms of ideological control over its members. the organization and have developed a well-oiled media It should be noted that Opus Dei tends machine that quickly moves to mitigate attacks by issuing to emphasize in public that, within the doctrines of the church, there is a great immediate denials when they come under criticism. variety of opinions among Opus Dei members regarding personal affairs. In that sense it would appear that members One of the areas in which Opus enjoy great personal liberty and do Dei has been most active is in the what they wish. In reality, members of education of the elites and training Opus Dei receive daily guidance from high-level private business executives. a “spiritual director” who embodies the To this end, Opus Dei has founded ideological orientations of the order, schools, universities and training centers, suggesting that the alleged freedom including 64 residences for members might not amount to much. in 17 cities in the US. In keeping with

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its worldview, traditionally, in schools Gregory Joseph Coyne graduated in founded by Opus Dei, at least at the 1983 with a BS in Computer Science elementary level, the sexes are separated. from the University of Maryland (1983)41 With respect to the good works that it and later studied at the Pontifical seeks to promote, it has also created University of the Holy Cross (Santa community support centers in less Croce) where he received an STD in developed countries such as Mexico so as Moral Theology. He currently works to build on a base of social support there. in Washington, DC, for the Opus Dei prelature.42 In 1993, Esteban Armando Vera By the Numbers Velasco was named a member of the presbyterial counsel of the Diocese of 43 Some 2,000 members of Opus Dei Querétaro in Mexico and in 1997 are priests who belong to the Priestly he became Vicar Secretary (Vicario Society of the Holy Cross. In addition, Secretario) of the Opus Dei Delegation 44 more than 20 bishops around the world in Kazakhstan, where in 2003 he belong to Opus Dei, including Jose H. held the position of Vicar Judge of the Gomez, coadjutor bishop of Los Angeles, Ecclesiastical Tribunal in the Diocese of 45 California; John J. Myers of Newark, Almaty. That same year he was named New Jersey; Robert W. Finn of Kansas Chaplain of His Holiness along with 46 City, Missouri; Nicholas DiMarzio of other Opus Dei priests. Brooklyn, New York; John O. Barres of Philip Goyret has been a professor of Allentown, Pennsylvania; the archbishop theology at the Universidad de la Santa 47 of Lima, Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne; the Cruz in Rome, which in 2000 named 48 bishop of Huancavelica, Peru, Isidro him Director of Studies and in 2007 49 Barrio Barrio; the archbishop of Cuzco, Vice Dean for the School of Theology. Peru, Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez;39 as The levels of lay membership in Opus well as Gabino Miranda Melgarejo, Dei include: auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho, Peru; • numeraries, who should have at least a and the prelate of Juli, also in Peru, José civil academic degree or professional María Ortega Trinidad. equivalent, are celibate and live in On May 28, 1989, El Heraldo, a special centers run by Opus Dei; conservative newspaper in Mexico, • associates, who also are celibate, but announced that 24 Opus Dei priests live with their own families; would be ordained by Pope John Paul II • supernumeraries, who comprise 75 in Rome. The priests included Osvaldo to 80 percent of those who belong to Neves of Brazil, Greg Coyne of the US, Opus Dei, and only participate in it the Mexican doctor Armando Vera after their secular workday (many of from Silacayoapan from Oaxaca and them are married); and Philip Goyret of Argentina. More than • cooperators, who pray, provide two decades later, they all continue to financial support and work.50 be members of Opus Dei and have held A category called “numerary assistant,” influential posts in different countries. reveals the subordinate nature of the A lawyer by profession, Osvaldo role Escrivá attributed to women. Their Neves de Almeida is the son of an professional lives are dedicated to Argentine mother and Brazilian father. looking after the domestic needs of Opus He is multilingual as he has mastered Dei centers.51 English, French and Italian in addition to In 1993, there were about 79,000 lay the languages of his parents, Spanish and members of the prelature in 54 countries Portuguese. Since 1992 he has worked in on five continents.52 In 2005 that figure the office of the Secretary of State of the was estimated to be about 90,000.53 Holy See.40

8 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

According to the 2007 Pontifical development, in rural and urban areas. Yearbook (“Anuario Pontificio”), Opus One of the main Opus Dei business Dei had 1,956 priests worldwide and schools in Latin America is IPADE, 84,349 lay members, for a total of 86,305 founded in 1967 with support of members. Fifty-five percent of all Opus leading businessmen: Manuel Senderos Dei members are women and about 90 percent of them live in Europe and Latin America, while only about 3,000 live in Opus Dei’s assets in the US are calculated to be about the US.54 $344.4 million and $2.8 billion worldwide according to Its assets in the US are calculated to be about $344.4 million and $2.8 billion figures from a 2008 study by investigator and journalist worldwide according to figures from a John L. Allen Jr. of the National Catholic Reporter. 2008 study by investigator and journalist John L. Allen Jr. of the National Catholic Reporter.55 Iriguoyen,57 Gastón Azcárraga Tamayo,58 Opus Dei owns 1,752 residencies José Maria Basagoiti,59 Baltasar Márquez, worldwide and has properties such Alejandro Álvarez Guerrero,60 Carlos as Murray Hill in New York City, a Isoard, and Eneko Belausteguigoitia.61 17-floor skyscraper completed in 2001, In addition to a business education which is now the headquarters for the based on case studies for high-level vicar of Opus Dei in the US, as well as directors, the institution offers students 60 resident numeraries, various offices classes “designed to give our participants and a conference center. It cost $70 and graduates a human and spiritual million, half of which came from one education based on the doctrine of the donation and the rest from 5,000 small Catholic church.”62 contributions.56

Opus Dei in Schools Latin America

Opus Dei promotes many Opus Dei is active in almost all Latin activities — whether cooperatively American countries, where approximately or through its members, who act one-third of its members live.63 individually but with institutional It began its work in Mexico in 1949.64 consent — especially in providing schools Today Mexico is the country with the for the elite. Many of the activists who most Opus Dei members outside of are against reproductive rights and the Spain.65 secular state have graduated from these Opus Dei began activities in Chile schools. and Argentina in 1950, followed by Among the schools that Opus Colombia and Venezuela (1951), Dei manages in Latin America are Guatemala and Peru (1953), Ecuador the Universidad de La Sabana, in (1954), Uruguay (1956), Brazil (1957), Colombia; Instituto Panamericano de El Salvador (1958), Costa Rica (1959), Alta Dirección de Empresas (IPADE) Paraguay (1962), Bolivia (1978), in Mexico; the Universidad Austral in Honduras (1980), the Dominican Argentina; the Universidad de Piura in Republic (1988), Nicaragua (1992) and Peru; the Universidad de los Andes in Panama (1996). Chile; and many other schools, from elementary schools to secondary schools, Opus Dei Bishops in Latin America training centers, schools for hospitality, Almost all of the Opus Dei bishops gastronomy and other areas, and centers are in Latin America with several for social assistance and community especially in Peru, where in 1957, Pope

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Pius XII commended to Opus Dei the biblical theology there in 1996, and new prelature of Yauyos, currently in who was named bishop of Ica on the charge of Opus Dei priest Ricardo October 31, 2007.72 García García. It is worth noting that Cardinal Other bishops in Peru are also Cipriani Thorne, the main director of members of Opus Dei: the archbishop Opus Dei in the Peruvian clergy, has of Lima, Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne; the been much questioned for his support of bishop of Huancavelica, the Spaniard the Fujimori regime and the disdain he Isidro Barrio Barrio; the archbishop of has expressed for human rights. He has Cuzco, Juan Antonio Ugarte Perez;66 been called “a representative of Catholic as well as Gabino Miranda Melgarejo, totalitarianism that allied itself with the auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho; and delinquent dictatorship of Fujimori. He the prelate of Juli, José María Ortega kept quiet about massacres and massive Trinidad, who in September 2008 crimes in Ayacucho and facilitated the expelled several members of the massacre of members of the Túpac Maryknoll order, who work on behalf of Amaru Revolutionary Movement, who the poorest communities in the area.67 in 1997 took over the Japanese Embassy, As an example of the doctrinal by informing on them electronically pressure that Opus Dei bishops (according to people who were in the seek to impose, Archbishop Ugarte embassy).73 recommended that all priests, especially In Argentina: Antonio Delgado Evers, those from his archdiocese, “alert archbishop of the diocese of San Juan de the faithful and avoid infiltration and Cuyo since March 29, 2000;74 Hugo de dissemination of ideas contrary to the Nicolás Barbaro bishop of the diocese doctrine of our faith.”68 of San Roque since July 26, 2008;75 Luis Sanchez-Moreno Lira, archbishop Francisco Polti Santillán, bishop of of Arequipa, who died in September Santiago del Estero since July 22, 2006.76 2009,69 and the Spanish priest Enrique In Brazil: Antonio Augusto Dias Pélach y Feliu (1917-2007), bishop Duarte, auxiliary bishop of São Sebastião emeritus of Abacay, were also members.70 do Rio de Janeiro since January 12, The bishop of Chiclayo, the Spaniard 2005;77 Rafael Llano Cifuentes, the Jesús Moliné Labarta, earned a doctorate bishop emeritus of Nova Friburgo, Rio in canon law from the Universidad de de Janeiro.78 Navarra, and has shown his affinity In Chile: Luis Gleisner Wobbe, for Opus Dei, but he also has publicly auxiliary bishop of La Serena since July 10, 2001;79 Juan Ignacio González Critics have also said that Opus Dei “members were Errázuriz, bishop of San Bernardo since 80 among the first and main administrators of the brutal and November 22, 2003. In Ecuador: the archbishop of oppressive military regime of General Pinochet.” Guayaquil since May 7, 2003, is Antonio Arregui Yarza.81 The deceased declared: “I am not a prominent member archbishop emeritus of Guayaquil, of Opus Dei. I am not even part of that Ignacio Larrea Holguín (1927-2006) prelature, which I hold in high esteem was the first member of the Opus Day and value very much when I reflect on prelature in Ecuador. the marvelous work they are doing in my In Paraguay: Rogelio Ricardo Livieres diocese, in Peru, and in the whole world Plano, the Argentine priest born in in service to the church.”71 Corrientes in 1945, and ordained in Another graduate of the Universidad October 2004, is bishop of Ciudad de Navarra is Héctor Eduardo Vera del Este.82 Colona, who obtained a doctorate in

10 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

In Venezuela: Fernando José Castro of supporting military regimes in Latin Aguayo, an Opus Dei priest, who at America and Opus Dei vehemently the end of June 2009 became auxiliary denies this.”86 bishop of the archdiocese of Caracas;83 Critics have also said that Opus Dei Francisoco de Guruceaga Iturriza, bishop “members were among the first and emeritus of La Guaira.84 main administrators of the brutal and In Colombia: Hugo Eugenio Puccini oppressive military regime of General Banfi, bishop of Santa Maria since Pinochet” and that “General Juan December 4, 1987.85 Carlos Onganía, the Argentine dictator Fernando Sáenz Lacalle, who was from 1966 to 1970, seized power after the archbishop of San Salvador from completing a religious retreat sponsored 1995 to 2008, is also an Opus Dei clergy by Opus Dei.”87 member. He was born in Cintruénigo, The official in charge of the brigade Spain, on November 16, 1932. He that killed the Colombian priest Camilo studied chemistry at the Universidad Torres in 1966 manages an Opus Dei de Zaragoza and was ordained in magazine in Bogotá.88 1959 within the Priestly Society of the In just the last decade, Opus Dei Holy Cross. In 1962 he was sent to El members are said to have participated Salvador to the recently founded Opus in the failed coup d’état against Hugo Dei center in San Salvador. Like other Chávez in 2002 and in the defeat of Opus Dei prelates, Lacalle became Manuel Zelaya in Honduras in June 2009. known for his affinity to conservative Below we provide a brief summary of interests and the military, to such a just some of the political events in which degree that he took charge of the military members and supporters of Opus Dei chaplaincy of El Salvador. have been involved. In addition, on February 15, 2005, José Horacio Gómez, a Mexican born Honduras in Monterrey, was named archbishop of Author Marcos Burgos has written the San Antonio, Texas, and in April 2010 key critique of Opus Dei’s influence in he was named coadjutor bishop of Los Honduras. He asserts that “In Honduras, Angeles. Opus Dei is headed by Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga. Although he received the sacraments within the Opus Dei in Latin Salesian congregation, for the last two American politics decades he is a cooperator and active member of Opus Dei.”89 Among the criticisms made of Opus In 2009, when Roberto Micheletti Dei is that it has grown by i) gaining was granted power after a coup d’état, influence in business and politics and Cardinal Maradiaga not only supported ii) utilizing the protection of military its supposed “constitutionality,” but regimes, such as that of Augusto even compared Micheletti to eminent Pinochet in Chile. people from the time of the country’s 90 In his work on Opus Dei, Michael independence. Walsh presents an overview of these According to the same author, other accusations, noting for example, that people who support Opus Dei in “in December 1985, a court in Munich Honduras include Elvin Santos; Marta granted Opus Dei an interdict to prevent Lorena Alvarado de Casco (antichoice the publication of a book which said that activist, member of the Micheletti some members of the organization had government and representative in worked with the death squads in Chile. the National Congress); the Villeda Critics of Opus Dei regularly accuse it Bermúdez family, including Mauricio

11 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

Villeda, Leonardo Villeda, Ramón Catholics and Protestants. Together Villeda; the Villeda Toledo family they are challenging sexual education (of the media Emisoras Unidos and in Honduras, demonstrating once again Televicentro); Antonio Tavel Otero (aka complete detachment from the reality of “Tigo”); Ricardo Álvarez (Mayor of the country.”94 Tegucigalpa), Carlos López Contreras Mexico “Another example [of Opus Dei’s power] is the enormous From its beginnings in Mexico, Opus Dei enjoyed the support of people who number of obstacles that the Ministry of Education has held economic and political power and faced in implementing sex education programs in a country its participation with conservative factions in which thousands of adolescents and girls are raped and has been the subject of public discussion for decades.95 While it is active throughout sexually abused. the country, its members’ activities have been more pronounced in some areas (participant in the coup d’état who such as Querétaro, in the center of the became Chancellor) and his wife Armida country.96 However, since 2000, with de López Contreras (organizer of the a more conservative government in “White Shirts” or Camisas Blancas), place, Opus Dei and other conservative among others.91 groups exist in a climate with which they Burgos also notes that “some civil have a complete ideological affiliation. society organizations denounced This climate has led to the promotion interference by Opus Dei in the Zelaya of members and sympathizers of those government as signifying a weakening groups to prominent political and of the secular state in Honduras. This legislative positions. should be understood as interference by In Mexico, it is very common for the church and principally interference politicians and bureaucrats from the by Opus Dei in government decision- right-wing Partido Acción Nacional, to making.”92 have been educated in Opus Dei schools, After President Zelaya vetoed as is the case with the national leader legislation that prohibited the use of of that party, César Nava Vázquez. emergency contraception, Opus Dei However, despite his education at Opus was accused of having a significant hand Dei’s Universidad Panamericana, Nava in overturning the veto in congress. Vázquez divorced his wife and in April (The World Health Organization states 2010 he appeared on the cover of some that emergency contraception is a magazines as partner to a popular singer contraceptive while Opus Dei claims that in Mexico.97 it is an abortifacient.93) One leading public figure affiliated Burgos notes, “Another example is with Opus Dei was Carlos Llano the enormous number of obstacles that Cifuentes, PhD, from the Universidad the Ministry of Education has faced in de Navarra and founder of the Instituto implementing sex education programs Panamericano de Alta Dirección de in a country in which thousands of Empresas (IPADE Business School). adolescents and girls are raped and He exercised influence on right-wing sexually abused. Opus Dei advocates that government officials such as Josefina this subject should not be treated in a Vásquez Mota, former Secretary for scientific manner, but from a moral point Social Development and Education.98 of view. This confrontation has taken Born in 1932, Carlos Llano died in May place in the Congress itself, which is 2010 in Miami.99 strongly influenced by the fundamentalist Paz Gutiérrez Cortina de Fernández vision of Marta Lorena Alvarado and Cueto has also been publicly identified her supporters as well as a group of as an Opus Dei supernumerary. She is

12 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

well known as the national director of Fernández Cueto’s activism has the Enlace organization, a collaborator been visible daily, but in the context of the antichoice organization Provida of the debate on the decriminalization and other conservative groups such of abortion, the commitment of Opus as Red Familia and A Favor de Dei members to restrict sexual and lo Mejor (founded in 1996 by the reproductive rights is very visible. businessman Lorenzo Servitje to Apart from Fernández Cueto, various promote a restrictive moral code in the professors from IPADE and from the media). She is a syndicated columnist Universidad Panamericana are also and a representative for the rightist active as well as right-wing politicians National Action Party. She also served Carlos Abascal Carranza, former as a member of the Human Rights secretary of labor and government, and Commission of the Council on Citizen Héctor Jaime Larios Santillán, both of Participation in the Office of the whom graduated from IPADE.104 Attorney General of the Republic.100 Others who participated in that As a member of Opus Dei, researcher campaign and who studied in Opus Virginia Ávila García noted, her work Dei schools include Rocío Gálvez de defending sexual abstinence began to Lara, president of Provida [Pro-Life] gather strength in the mid-1990s.101 and a graduate in teacher education In 1995, Opus Dei’s Romana bulletin from the Universidad Panamericana; described with praise the type of Gerardo Monroy Campero, a leader activities led by “Mrs. Paz Gutiérrez of conservative groups and a lawyer; Cortina Fernández Cueto, mother of 10 Alvaro Clemente Carrillo Pretalia, children and family counselor.”102 She also a lawyer for the Universidad has taught in Opus Dei institutions such as IPADE, despite having only a high school education.103 In the context of the debate on the decriminalization of Paz Gutiérrez Cortina de Fernández abortion, the commitment of Opus Dei members to restrict Cueto’s public life epitomizes Opus Dei’s sexual and reproductive rights is very visible. political and social reach: collaboration with conservative groups, ties with elite business people (in this case, Fernández Panamericana and somebody who has Cueto’s family owns businesses such held positions in the judiciary and in as Constructora Gutiérrez), work in the House of Representatives of Mexico and with the media and affiliation with City; Andrés González Watty, another conservative parties and forces. lawyer and a graduate of the Universidad Mexico is also the center of some of Panamericana; Patricia Rivera Barrera, Opus Dei’s activity against reproductive another lawyer and graduate of the rights. Fernández Cueto’s group, Enlace Universidad Panamericana, among many en la Comunidad Encuentro, A.C., others who opposed the legalization of publishes books to promote abstinence abortion.105 in sex education. She also participates in Furthermore, one of the public figures the conservative coalition Red Familia whose ties to Opus Dei have been (Family Network), which was created openly discussed is the lawyer José in 2000 to influence conservative Soberanes Fernández, a professor at the policymakers and has formed part of Universidad Panamericana.106 In 2007, the Human Rights Commission of the as head of the National Commission for Counsel for Citizen Participation of Human Rights he supported an appeal the Procurator’s Office of the Republic asking the Supreme Court of Justice to (Comisión de Derechos Humanos del repeal the decriminalization of abortion Consejo de Participación Ciudadana de la in Mexico City. This appeal was rejected. Procuraduría General de la República).

13 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

Peru Peruvian journalist Herbert Mújica In Peru, where Opus Dei has significant reported, “Dionisio Romero is influence, several leading politicians privileged because his money buys are affiliated with Opus Dei including everything or almost everything.” the former president of the Congress, He says that in about 2003 when he Martha Chávez; Rafael Rey and Luis managed the newspaper Pura Verdad, Chang Ching, who have been members the cover of which on five occasions of Congress; Fernán Altuve and Cecilia “demanded several congressional Martínez del Solar.107 investigations into Dionisio Romero’s One of the main business people tied activities and accused him of events to Opus Dei in Peru is Dionisio Romero that today seem rather likely to be Seminario, who is from an established certain. Without [Mújica’s] knowledge family of Spanish descent in Piura. the banker contacted the principal “From the Romero family Opus Dei shareholder of Raymi, publisher of Pura obtained the exclusive area of El Chipe, Verdad, and offered him publicity in land on which to build the university exchange for [Mújica’s] head.”112 campus, as well as a big rambling house in the urban center of Piura.”108 Chile Leader of the Grupo Romero, one One of the main personalities tied to of the leading conglomerates in Peru, Opus Dei in Chile is the right-wing Dionisio Romero was one of the ten leader Joaquín Lavín Infante.113 richest and most powerful men in In 1999, Lavín — an economist, the country since 1981. Currently he former collaborator of the dictator is director of the Banco de Crédito Augusto Pinochet and the former e Inversiones de Chile, Hochschild mayor of Santiago — was a candidate for Mining Plc. Since 1995, he has also been the presidency with the Independent president of Credicorp, the financial wing Democratic Union (Unión Independiente of the Grupo Romero. With an empire Democrática-UDI). His campaign was surpassing US$1.3 billion, Credicorp littered with ultraconservative rhetoric in comprises the Banco de Crédito, the which he opposed, inter alia, legalizing leading bank in the country; Banco de divorce. Ricardo Lagos defeated him Crédito de Bolivia, Pacífico Seguros, by a slim margin. If he had won that the holding company Grupo Crédito, election, Lavín would have become the Credicorp Securities, Credileasing and first president officially affiliated with other businesses.109 Opus Dei. Lavín Infante admits to being a In 2007, as head of the National Commission for Human supernumerary in Opus Dei and Rights, Fernández supported an appeal asking the Supreme has been a member for 30 years. He joined in 1974 after having been part Court of Justice to repeal the decriminalization of abortion of Tradition, Family and Property in Mexico City. This appeal was rejected. (Tradición, Familia y Propiedad), the integrationist movement founded by the Brazilian Plinio Correa de Oliveira, who Dionisio Romero gave the inaugural was known as “Fiducia” in Chile, for the lecture in the 2009 academic year at the name of the magazine that he edited.114 Universidad de Piura, an event that he During the campaign, Lavín did not defined as “the greatest act of faith in advertise that he belonged to Opus Dei. Peru.”110 He is close to the former head It only became public after President of Peru’s intelligence service, Vladimiro Ricardo Lagos won, when Lavín’s father, Montesinos, and has been accused of a farmer named Joaquín Lavín Pradenas, laundering drug money.111 and a militant in the UDI, declared:

14 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

“One of the unfair things people said Mauricio Velásquez and the commander about Joaquín is that because he is a of the Navy, Admiral Guillermo Barrera, member of Opus Dei, he had many according to the statement made to the limitations in different areas [which would magazine Semana in September 2009 by make it difficult for him to perform his the regional vicar of Opus Dei, Hernán duties as] president. I had to counter that Salcedo.118 in a regional radio forum. I said ‘Look, Marta Lucía Ramírez, Minister of I think the best guarantee that he will Defense in 2002 and 2003, is said to be a good president is precisely that he be a sympathizer of Opus Dei and is a member of Opus Dei.’ Opus Dei is businessman José Roberto Arango, who an institution of the church that tries to is very close to Uribe, is said to be an see that its members sanctify themselves Opus Dei collaborator. The leader of through their work, that is, that they do the National Federation of Businesses their job to perfection.”115 Two years later, on the centenary of “The backbone of the movement against the moral the birth of the founder of Opus Dei, an international conference “The greatness liberalization of Chile is supported by the integrationist of ordinary life” was held in Rome. It Catholic groups like Opus Dei.” was organized by the Universidad de la Santa Cruz, also affiliated to Opus Dei. Joaquín Lavín Infante was invited (Federación Nacional de Comerciantes, and participated as an exhibitor in the or Fenalco), Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, is panel on “Family and career, a daily also an Opus Dei follower.119 challenge,” in which he highlighted the It’s worth noting that Opus Dei was role of Catholic politicians.116 started in Colombia by the Spanish In October 2002 Lavín and his wife priest and lawyer Teodoro Ruiz Jusué María Estela León returned to Rome (1917-2001). Teodoro participated in to attend the canonization of Escrivá. the Spanish civil war, reaching the rank Before going, he openly mentioned his of corporal. In 1940 he met Escrivá de commitment to Opus Dei. Balaguer in Valladolid and became an On February 9, 2010, he was named admirer. He was director of the Colegio Minister of Education in the Coalition Mayor Universitario Moncloa. Ordained for Change administration (Coalición por in 1946, for years he was the only Opus el Cambio). Dei priest in Andalucía, which he left “The backbone of the movement for Colombia “with no more luggage against the moral liberalization of other than a crucifix and an image of the Chile is supported by the integrationist Virgin that the Founder gave to Catholic groups like Opus Dei (from him and $50 to his name.”120 He arrived Latin ‘Work of God’) and the Legionaries in Colombia on October 13, 1951.121 In of Christ,” argued analyst Merike H. 1964 he returned to Spain and worked Blofield, then at the University of North for Opus Dei in Pamplona, Valencia and Carolina in Chapel Hill, who studied Palma de Mallorca, where he died.122 Opus Dei’s impact in Chile.117 Costa Rica Colombia In Costa Rica, one of the private Álvaro Uribe, a president with militaristic initiatives that sponsors the work of Opus and conservative Catholic tendencies, Dei’s members is the publishing house has several links to Opus Dei — not least Promotora de Medios de Comunicación that he has named members to posts in S.A.,123 or PROMESA, founded in 1982 the administration. At least two of his by Carlos Manuel Fonseca Quesada ministers belong to Opus Dei: César and Helena Ospina Garcés de Fonseca,

15 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

Professor in the Faculty of Arts at the por la Vida y la Familia (Life and Family University of Costa Rica. It publishes Citizen Observatory), la Asociación Por works by Opus Dei authors, including la Vida (Prolife Association), CIBEFAM, various professors from the Universidad la Pastoral Familiar de San José (a church de Navarra and works by its founder. initiative to promote marriage and family PROMESA is one of the entities whose values), and the Asociación de Madres projects and news are described in de Familias de Costa Rica (Association of Romana.124 Mothers of Costa Rican Families).126 In addition, Romana highlighted the work of the Women’s Professional To the degree that she can, Ospina supports the Institute, La Pradera, which provides conservative crusade against sexual rights, for example by a “social development program” at a publishing and distributing books like those of the Argentine home for families with problems of drug addiction, poverty and domestic lawyer and leader of antichoice groups, Jorge Scala violence. The teachers and students, Romana reported, “carry out a social development program…for girls aged Born in Cali, Colombia, in 1944, 6 to 12 [and] provide talks on human Helena Ospina Garcés de Fonseca and Christian values and personal has lived in Costa Rica since 1970. tutoring aimed at fostering character She has also collaborated with other formation and good study habits. A Catholic educational institutions such club for mothers offers classes in crafts as the Universidad de La Sabana in and cooking along with talks on virtues Colombia, which in 1994 published the connected with family life and the raising book Mujer, valores permanents (Woman, of their children.”127 Permanent Values), on the occasion of the International Year of the Family. Argentina In Costa Rica Ospina had significant In Argentina, members of Opus Dei influence on the governments of the participated in military governments Unidad Social Cristiana (Christian such as those of Onganía and Videla, Social Union). Among the personalities but they were also active during the who collaborate with PROMESA in Menem period. Menem had named Costa Rica is Luis Baura, regional Gustavo Beliz, a member of Opus vicar of Opus Dei in northern Central Dei, to be minister of the interior.128 America.125 According to those who study Opus To the degree that she can, Ospina Dei, Chilean paper industry magnate supports the conservative crusade Eliodoro Matte and Argentine oil against sexual rights, for example by magnate Gregorio Pérez Companc are publishing and distributing books like important contributors to Opus Dei.129 those of the Argentine lawyer and leader One of Opus Dei’s main business schools of antichoice groups, Jorge Scala: IPPF, is in Argentina — the Instituto de Altos La multinacional de la muerte, Recrear la Estudios Empresariales, or IAE. cultura de la vida, Principios fundacionaels de la bioética, (IPPF, The Deadly Multinational Uruguay Organization, Recreating the Culture of Life, According to Emilio Corbiere, “Uruguay, and Foundational Principles of Bioethics) especially Montevideo, is another place among others. with strong Opus Dei influence. During On October 16, 2009, PROMESA the military dictatorship they put down participated in an antiabortion roots in the Institute for Philosophy, demonstration alongside organizations Science and Letters, at the Catholic such as the Instituto Dignitas (Dignity university, through Raquel Lombardo, Institute), el Observatorio Ciudadano the Minister of Culture, who was a

16 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

member of Opus Dei. … During the launch of a new Ecuadorian version of Lacalle government, his Minister of “Santo Rosario” [Blessed Rosary], a book Defense, the lawyer Mariano Brito, by Escrivá. was a member of Opus Dei, and his former Minister of Health, the lawyer Carlos Delpiazzo was one of his fellow Critics and travelers. Another Lacalle sympathizer Ex-members who was a member of the prelature was the economist Gustavo Licandro. Throughout its more than 80 years of … Members of Opus Dei also include existence, Opus Dei has demonstrated the former president of the Central not only a great capacity to grow, but Bank of Uruguay, Ramón Díaz, and also greater stability than many other the lawyers Ricardo Olera García and conservative Catholic groups such as Augustio Durán Martínez, businessman the Legionaries of Christ. (The latter, and professor of administrative law, founded in 1941, is in significant turmoil respectively; Vice Admiral Francisco after its founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel, Pazos, commander-in-chief of the navy, was accused of several counts of sexual and chief of personnel of that branch abuse,132 including some accusations of of the military Rear Admiral Carlos abuse from children he fathered while 130 Magliocca.” pretending to live the life of a celibate priest.133, 134) In contrast, as the journalist Venezuela John L. Allen indicated in 2006, “to People tied to Opus Dei supported the date no priest from Opus Dei in the US attempt to overturn Chávez in April has been accused of sexual abuse….”135 2002 and were members in the cabinet There have been a small handful of of Pedro Carmona, who seized power in accusations elsewhere. a coup d’état. “Pedro Carmona has ties So far the main criticisms of Opus to Opus Dei. Many of those involved in Dei coming from former members and the coup d’état and various members of analysts of that group relate to what the ‘provisional government’ are Opus they describe as its authoritarianism, the Dei numeraries. The most well known rigidity of its standards, its interference of them is José Rodríguez Iturbe, a in the personal lives of its members, personal friend of Aznar (the right-wing misogyny136 and the manner in which it former Spanish leader) and the Minister participates in business and politics.137 of Foreign Affairs of Carmona, who Journalist Isabel de Armas, who was resides in the same building that houses a numerary of Opus Dei from 1966 to the headquarters of Opus Dei in Caracas. 1974, reported that in 1972 in Barcelona The coup d’état counted on the in situ during a massive event with Escrivá, blessing of Baltasar Porras, president a young female numerary, a doctor, of the Episcopal Conference, who was suggested directly to him that the text be present at the swearing in of the usurper modified, upon which “in the middle of a 131 next to Cardinal Velázquez.” bitter silence he began to pace the stage in agitation, and furiously responded in Ecuador an insulting and angry tone… ‘Do you Gustavo Noboa Bejarano, president know what it means to be discreet? Well, of Ecuador from 2000 to 2003 was look the word up in the dictionary and close to Opus Dei. He sent several you will find out. You could well use that members of his government to Rome knowledge.’”138 for Escrivá’s canonization ceremony. According to some of its critics, the In 2002 he and his wife attended the manner in which Opus Dei operates in Mass commemorating the centenary the business world — where it has adopted of Escrivá’s birth. He also attended the a generally liberal and pragmatic

17 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

approach — is in sharp contrast to its before my family and friends. My dear approach to sexuality, procreation and former brothers — how could so many family life where it adheres to strictly numeraries not be depressed, sad, conservative religious standards, which neurotic and strange if you want to fight it considers in accord with so-called against the world through a system of “natural law.”139 rules and standards? Any psychiatrist María del Carmen Tapia, who knows that is psychopathological. There belonged to Opus Dei for 18 years, is no system, regardless of which saint concluded that it “is the most constructs it, which can conquer that conservative, retrograde and sectarian which in Christian asceticism is called organization of the Roman Catholic the ‘World.’”144 church…a church within the church, With regard to Escrivá’s misogyny, with all the characteristics of a sect.”140 former members of the group say that Juan José Tamayo-Acosta, theologian “all the works by the founder of Opus at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, Dei were dedicated to and aimed at men, agrees with that characterization. He and in these works you can see a clear believes that Opus Dei managed to contempt for women.”145 In that regard, reach influential positions in the Vatican this phrase is often cited: “If you want to thanks to Pope John Paul II and that it give yourself to God in the world, rather did indeed become a “church within a than being scholarly (women needn’t church.”141 be scholars: it’s enough for them to be prudent) you must be spiritual, closely it “is the most conservative, retrograde and sectarian united to our Lord by prayer; you must organization of the Roman Catholic church…a church wear an invisible cloak that will cover each and every one of your senses and within the church, with all the characteristics of a sect.” faculties; praying, praying, praying; atoning, atoning, atoning.”146 There are isolated testimonies of sexual In November 2009, Eduardo Hidalgo, transgressions, including a few testimonies former philosophy student at the Opus related to sexual abuse within the order. Dei-run Universidad de los Andes, who However, it is more common for former was injured a few years earlier while members of Opus Dei to point to the participating in community work in the repressive approach to sexuality that south of the country, filed a suit against predominates within the organization. the school. According to writings by his As one former member stated, “sexual lawyer Estanislao Dufey, the leader of abuses in Opus Dei are of a psychological the community work prevented Eduardo nature and in most cases the damage is from moving to Santiago to recuperate as irreparable, much worse than the physical he and his family wished “by means of abuses in many cases.”142 psychological, moral, religious and even The ease with which information physical pressure. They didn’t help him can be spread using the internet has and he remained in the south for more presented Opus Dei with new challenges. than a week suffering indescribable pains Websites have appeared that bring and being harassed by numeraries of together former members of Opus Dei Opus Dei, who warned him to ‘respect from many countries and allows them to the will of God.’”147 collate and disseminate their experiences Testimonies from Mexico, which have in a more systematized manner than was been reproduced on websites by Opus possible before.143 Dei dissidents, detail the methods by One testimony, by a man who was a which the organization has recruited numerary in Mexico for 25 years, said: “I members in its schools and universities. very much loved the Work. I defended One of them dated July 2009 reads: it before my university classmates… “Normally we had closed-door meetings

18 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

in the office of the director during young (age 19) and full of enthusiasm which we reviewed in minute detail the and good humor, the environment private and personal lives of each of the became difficult almost from the first attendees of the circles, introductory semester as internal divisions and religion classes, catechisms, Saturday cliques with irreconcilable differences meditations, cultural gatherings and developed. social works that were organized in the “I knew little about Opus Dei and Opus Dei center. All a student (especially the church in general, so I didn’t think one from the Universidad Panamericana) I was a candidate for that organization. had to do was attend one of those However, although my family is of activities and immediately he would be modest means…my grandparents assigned a numerary to follow him. We were Spanish and we are 100 percent would note his name on a list and we white ethnically and rather physically included him as a friend of one of the attractive…I say that without pretence, housemates.”148 it’s just the truth. For those readers who According to that testimony, “in aren’t Mexican, I have to explain that those meetings (to organize the both qualities carry a lot of weight in proselytism) we spoke about everything, Mexican society, sometimes more so absolutely everything, without the least than money. embarrassment and without the least “Through my head numerary, they little bit of respect for the privacy or had their little ‘fight’ to invite me to conscience of anyone.”149 retreats (where I was bored to tears until The following is testimony from night came, when I died of laughter to a former student of the Universidad see the numeraries baptize their beds Panamericana, which is worth citing with holy water to distance the devil at length as a critical vision of the from their dreams, and other clownery ideological influence that can be found I can no longer remember) and to there: tertulias (literary or artistic gatherings) “I am a former student of the and other Tupperware-style parties. The Universidad Panamericana in Mexico relationship with the numerary who was City, from the class of 1986-‘91. I assigned to me was becoming strained. majored in the area of economic and I had to tell him to get lost around the administrative sciences (I don’t want third semester, after which I was socially to say which one because there were ostracized by him and his band of relatively few of us and I don’t want crazies… Anyway, I didn’t lose anything to expose myself further). Before and after reading some testimonies in the Universidad Panamericana, my Opus books, man what I saved myself education was mainly secular. I’m from from! a religious middle class family (without “The last I heard of that numerary being fanatical about religion), which is that he teaches class or coordinates respects the individuality of each of its something in El Cedros, one of the Opus members, within certain natural limits. schools in Mexico City. He was already “My class at Universidad a rather bitter and strange person back Panamericana consisted of about 25 then. I don’t want to even imagine what classmates, some of them from secular he’s like now 20 years later. God willing schools like me and others from non- I’ll never run into him again. Opus Dei religious schools. Many others “The case of the female numerary were from Cedros, Yaocalli and other was even sadder. I think that she truly institutions of ‘the Work.’ There was a believed that serving Opus Dei was to boy who had been a numerary since serve God live and in person. How much adolescence and a female aspirant of she must have suffered knowing that more humble origin. Although we were they didn’t totally accept her because

19 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

she was dark-skinned and poor! I think calculated brainwashing. If I wanted to at some point she had a job outside of be a numerary, as I wished, I had to give Opus Dei, but she ended up doing what up women and, of course, sex. I gave up so many other mediocre numeraries both and, according to Opus Dei, the do. She joined the leadership of the best way to fight temptations of the body Universidad Panamericana to take up a was with a cilice, which one had to use career (administration and marketing) for two hours daily. “One day I met a girl who was my “The case of the female numerary was even sadder. I think age. I felt so guilty for having spoken with her and asking her for her phone that she truly believed that serving Opus Dei was to serve number that I told my confessor. He God live and in person. How much she must have suffered treated me as if I had raped her. That’s knowing that they didn’t totally accept her because she when I thought that I had taken the wrong path and that what I ought to give was dark-skinned and poor!” up was Opus Dei. “When I began to have doubts, a guy about which she had no idea nor way locked me in a room and told me ‘Look to contribute any fresh ideas since Opus at so-and-so, who left [Opus Dei]. He got Dei systematically limits her access to the cancer and now his family is suffering internet, culture, events, social networks very much.’ Aberrant, don’t you think? I and the media — in short, everything that was so angry that they ended up expelling marketing involves! me for one reason — I had become a bad “It might seem to you that I am example for the others. And they warned resentful of Opus Dei without reason me, ‘Remember that our father (Escrivá since in my case the damage was de Balaguer) won’t give five cents to those minimal. But bear in mind that this was who abandon his work.’”151 a five-year period — 10 semesters — of With regard to the use of the cilice, classes with a group that was completely he says “They would tell you that it’s a and profoundly divided by the public way of mortifying oneself for the sins and secret activities, favoritisms and of humanity, but I’m convinced that public and veiled threats of these two it was simply a sexual inhibitor. It’s poor numeraries and other equally mortification like fasting on Good Friday, disastrous people who filed through those except that the cilice is something that classrooms.”150 you practice not just on Good Friday, but In 2008 the Colombian writer and every day for two hours. And why was journalist Fernando Quiro, who was born this done? They tell you when you’re in Bogotá in 1964 and educated in the already submissive — to redeem the world Universidad de La Sabana, wrote the and the sins of man. But in reality you novel “Justos.” It took second place for discover that all that is done to replace the Planeta-Casamérica Latin American sexual desire.”152 Prize for Narrative. In the novel, he Aside from schools it has established relates his experience with Opus Dei, to for the elite, Opus Dei tends to build which he was recruited as a student. centers in rural or marginalized areas In an interview with the media, he where it combines community service said: “I joined [Opus Dei] at age 16 or with indoctrination. 17 when I was studying in the school of One example is the elementary school Los Cerros, Bogotá. First they invited Centro Nocedal, which opened in 1996 me to soccer games, on excursions… and for which the Nocedal Foundation Then I began to receive everything was created three years later. else in small doses — the mortification, According to Opus Dei publicity, sacrifices, prohibitions. It’s a perfectly in the area of La Pintana in Chile,

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which “has one of the worst levels Opus Dei, which promotes him within of poverty in the country,” and the context of its antichoice propaganda where “the streets are an attractive as a “passionate defender of the right place to be for most children,” a to and love of life especially that of the group of Chilean professionals who unborn.”153 “were concerned about providing a Isidoro Zorzano Ledesma (1902-1943), better quality education to the most an Argentine of Spanish descent, who marginalized sectors of society,” bought has also already been declared a “servant six hectares of land in the village of of God,” was a classmate of Ecrivá de Jorge Allessandri, better known as El Balaguer in the Institute of Logroño. He Castillo, and built a school for 500 was one of the first members of Opus Dei. students. In addition to providing During the Spanish civil war from 1936 to the same education one can get at 1939, under the pretext of his Argentine any school in the country, it also has nationality, he collaborated with the “a modern curriculum whose aim is nationalists by “materially and spiritually to train students in electronics and helping many people, including members telecommunications.” of Opus Dei who were isolated in the The promotional brochure for capital or locked in jails.”154 Centro Nocedal says that “Parents know that their children will receive a Ernesto Cofino Ubico, has already been declared a “servant of strong academic, human and Christian God” in preparation for his beatification, was a supernumerary background at this school. At the request of Nocedal’s promoters, the in Opus Dei, which promotes him within the context of its Opus Dei prelature collaborates on the antichoice propaganda as a “passionate defender of the right doctrinal and spiritual training imparted to and love of life especially that of the unborn.” in the school.” As a result, “parents immediately reported that their children prayed more, and they themselves also began speaking to God simply Conclusion and naturally, sometimes after a long time of not doing so.” Once a week in Catholics for Choice has carried out the school there is catechism class and extensive research over the years into every two weeks a priest has a talk with the activities of conservative Catholic parents. The same brochure says that organizations around the world. More “naturally a devotion to the Blessed often than not, we find that there is far Josemaría, founder of Opus Dei began to less to these organizations than their germinate….” own propaganda suggests. In those cases we are happy to shine a light on their misstatements and exaggerations, as The Opus Dei “Saints” well as their general tendency to harbor and articulate extremely backward Among the promotion strategies of Opus views towards women and minorities, Dei in Latin America is the canonization as well as policies that promote a of Opus Dei members in the region. healthy approach to sex and sexuality. Among them are the Guatemalan In so doing, we highlight their lack of pediatrician Ernesto Cofino Ubico and influence and encourage our friends and the Argentine engineer Isidoro Zorzano. colleagues in exposing the fact that these Ernesto Cofino Ubico (1899-1991), organizations are not as powerful as they who has already been declared a might have thought. “servant of God” in preparation for his Some organizations, however, do have beatification, was a supernumerary in the potential to cause serious damage to

21 Opposition Notes • an investigative Series

the project of furthering reproductive and reminding Catholics and non-Catholics human rights around the world. Opus alike that these groups do not speak Dei, through its network of contacts, its for the Catholic church. As we see in access to powerbrokers and its financial the United States and elsewhere, the clout, is one such group. In these cases, views of Catholics generally reflect the it is also important to highlight their views of the rest of society, on a host of activities, so that we can learn more political issues, including those related to about how they operate and come up reproductive rights, sex and sexuality. with strategies to counter their influence. Opus Dei has clearly had a role Our financial situation may never in shaping public policy in a more rival theirs, but our ability to influence conservative direction. The aim of this progressive policymakers who share our publication is to provide some facts and mission of doing what is right for women background information to those who and families around the world is certainly seek to counteract its influence. We hope proportionate to theirs. it is useful as such and will be working Opus Dei acts in many ways as a sort with our friends and colleagues to ensure of political party under the centralized that its content is disseminated to all control of its leader. Its members are those who might find it useful. answerable to the head of Opus Dei, not the local bishops in whose jurisdiction they live. That gives it an advantage over other conservative orders, as they may single-mindedly pursue the goals of the leadership, even when they may not correspond with the priorities of the local bishop. Its religious and political activities closely adhere to the most conservative interpretation of Vatican teachings, and despite its protestations to the contrary, it seeks to ensure that others are required to adhere to their interpretation of the teachings as well. This is especially apparent in the manner in which it supports laws and policies that restrict reproductive rights and women’s equality. We do not take issue with Catholics, or anyone else, expressing their faith as they see fit. However, while religion can have a place in informing public policy, it should not be the deciding voice. Opus Dei seeks to ensure that its version of Catholic teachings should govern public policy. Policymakers need to be reminded that the vast majority of Catholics do not agree with Opus Dei, and that its attempts to influence public policy — especially when they come through unelected, undemocratic channels — should be rebuffed. Exposing the activities of conservative Catholic organizations is a crucial step in

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Notes 21 Michael Walsh, “Política y negocios del Opus According to this testimony, Opus Dei centers Dei,” www.opuslibros.org/libros/Mundo_ “work almost like exact replicas of medieval secreto/capitulo_7.htm, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. monasteries where self-flagellation, for example, 1 Asociación Causa Beatificación Alexia, “Alexia,” is a daily practice. The Work, as members call www.alexiagb.org, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 22 Opus Dei, “Causes of Canonization,” the organization among themselves, is one of www.opusdei.es/ssec.php?a=3560, accessed the church’s most powerful institutions. It has an 2 John F. Coverdale, “The Founding of Opus Dei,” Nov. 1, 2010. iron-like, inquisitorial structure…which includes http://iniciativas-opus-dei.evangelizando.org/libros/ “corporal punishments, the obligation to turn fundacion-opus-dei2.htm, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 23 Salvador Bernal, “Alvaro del Portillo Prelado del over one’s salary, the impossibility of reading Opus Dei, 1975-1994,” usuarios.multimania.es/ what one would like, and absurd prohibitions 3 Peter Berglar, Opus Dei. Vida y obra del Fundador, alvaroportillo, accessed, Nov. 2, 2010. against things like being alone in an elevator with Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, Madrid: Rialp, 1989, someone of the opposite sex, among many other p. 30. 24 Corriere della Sera, April 11, 1997, p.15 rules that are unusual to someone from outside the order.” (Ximena Sinay “Adíos Rogando — La 4 Ibid. p. 26. 25 Dr. Joaquín Navarro-Valls’s personal blog. tortura de vivir en el Opus Dei,” TXT Revista www.navarro-valls.info/index_es.html, accessed Textual, Year 2, Number 57, Buenos Aires, 5 Vatican, “Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer,” Nov. 1, 2010. April, 16, 2004, www.opuslibros.org/prensa/ www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ adios_rogando.htm, accessed Nov. 1, 2010.) ns_lit_doc_20021006_escriva_sp.html, accessed 26 La Prensa, April 25, 2010. www.laprensa.com.ni, Nov. 1, 2010. accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 39 Arzobispado del Cuzco, “Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez,” arzobispadodelcusco.org/contenido/ 6 Berglar, 1989, p. 58. 27 Escrivá de Balaguer, Furrow, Minos, México, historia.html, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 1998, point 310. 7 Berglar, 1989, notes that Escrivá was a “hard- 40 Santiago M. Alles, “No consensus on what is working merchant,” helpless when faced with 28 Ibid, point 933. a fact of terrorism, but not in the definition of “calculating people and clever tradesmen,” the subject,” Aug. 7, 2006, www.uca.edu.ar/ p. 30. 29 Ibid, point 942. uca/common/grupo21/files/2006-08-07-neves- entrevista.pdf, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 8 Opus Dei, “The foundation of Opus Dei (1928- 30 Ibid, point 939. 1930),” www.opusdei.es/art.php?p=16996, 41 John B. Slaughter, “Chancellor’s message to accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 31 Ibid, point 928. the graduates,” Dec. 23, 1983, www.archive. org/stream/commencement1983univ/ 9 Joan Estruch, “Santos y Pillos, El Opus Dei 32 Escrivá de Balaguer, The Forge, Minos, México, commencement1983univ_djvu.txt, accessed y Sus Paradojas,” Barcelona, Herder, 1994, 1998, point 718. Nov. 1, 2010. cap. IV. “Desde la fundación del Opus Dei hasta el comienzo de la guerra española (1928-1936). 33 Ibid, point 720. 42 Fr. Greg Coyne’s LinkedIn profile, www.linkedin.com/pub/fr-greg-coyne/a/39/830, 10 Berglar, 1989, p. 61. 34 Ibid, point 327. accessed Nov. 1, 2010.

11 Wikiroja, the Communist encyclopedia, 35 Julio Badui Dergal, El Matrimonio Cristiano, 43 Romana, No. 16, January-June, 1993, p. 83. “Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer,” http://wikiroja. Mexico: Minos, 1991. Other books and flyers wikispaces.com/J.M.+Escriv%C3%A1+de+ from that publisher reflect equally conservative 44 Romana, No. 24, January-June, 1997, p.60. Balaguer, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. positions. For example, ¿Divorcio? ¡no!, by Santiago Martínez S., rejects what he calls the 45 Diocese of the most Holy Trinity in Almaty, 12 Ibid. “the sickness of divorce.” Also, ¿Es lícito el control www.catholic-kazakhstan.org/Almaty/En/ natal? by Fernando Domínguez Ruiz, extols Almaty.html, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 13 Berglar, 1989, p. 61. John Paul II’s steadfast opposition to contraception, etc. 46 Romana, No. 36, January-June, 2003. 14 Gracias a Dios, ¡nos fuimos! January-February 2001, “Carta de Escrivá A Franco El 23-V-1958,” 36 Javier Echevarria, “Letter from the Prelate 47 “Sacerdote yo?” Nov. 18, 2006, www.opuslibros.org/prensa/carta_escriva.htm, of Opus Dei about family,” Jan. 1, 2006, http://anosacerdotal.info/ultimas-noticias/ accessed Nov. 1, 2010. www.fluvium.org/textos/opusdei/OpD149.htm, Page-8.html, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 15 Universidad de Nevarra, “About the university,” 48 Romana, No. 30, January-June 2000, p. 36. www.unav.es/servicio/informacion/hitos, 37 John F. Coverdale, “The foundation of Opus accessed Nov. 1, 2010. Dei,” http://iniciativas-opus-dei.evangelizando. 49 Romana, No. 45 July-December 2000, p. 36. org/libros/fundacion-opus-dei5.htm, accessed 16 John L. Allen Jr., Opus Dei — An Objective Nov. 1, 2010. 50 Dominique Le Tourneau, “Chapter 5: The Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Members of Opus Dei,” http://iniciativas-opus- Controversial Force in the Catholic Church, 38 There are various testimonies on this issue: dei.evangelizando.org/libros/opus-dei5.htm, Doubleday, 1995, p. 48. “Her first date was when she was almost 30. accessed Nov. 1, 2010. It was the first time that a man had invited her 17 Universidad de Nevarra, op. cit. to the movies and she had to call a friend to 51 Allen, op. cit. p. 38. ask her who Woody Allen was. She had never 18 Ibid. gone out with a man, nor had she heard of 52 Ibid. that director, much less seen his films. She had 19 Ibid. never before gone to the movies without asking 53 BBC World, Sept. 9, 2005, “American Opus,” permission. For 13 years, Inés was a member http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/specials/ 20 Ana Azanza, “Las finanzas ocultas del Opus of Opus Dei, the mysterious Catholic order newsid_4229000/4229212.stm, accessed Dei,” April 7, 2008, www.opuslibros.org/ questioned for its way of accumulating power Nov. 1, 2010. nuevaweb/modules.php?name=News&file=articl and fortune with the declared objective of e&sid=12125, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. seeking ‘sanctity in daily life.’”

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54 El Economista, “Is Opus Dei a secret society? 64 Victor Cano, “Los primeros pasos del Opus Dei 89 Marcos Burgos, “El Opus Dei En Honduras…La Just look at the phenomenon from the United en México (1948-1949),” www.isje.org/setd2007/ Iglesia Católica En El Golpe,” www.revistazo.biz/ States,” April 3, 2010, www.eleconomista.es/ SetD-2007-04.pdf, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. cms/index.php?option=com_content&view= cultura/noticias/2031015/04/10/Opus-Dei- article&id=391&joscclean=1&comment_id= sociedad-secreta-la-revista-Time-teme-que- 65 Ibid. 12973&Itemid=7, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. convierta-all-catolicismo-en-EEUU-sea-mas- hispano-y-mas-conservador.html, accessed 66 Arzobispado del Cusco. op.cit. 90 On Feb. 3, 2010, at the main Mass celebrating November 4, 2010. the Day of the Virgin of Suyapa, Rodríguez 67 Radio Evangelizacion, “Solidarity with the Maradiaga singled out Micheletti, praising him 55 Enric Gonzalez, “The Opus uncovers its Maryknoll priests dismissed by the Bishop of for his role in the 2009 coup that ousted the secrets,” March 6, 2006, www.opusdei.cl/art. Puno,” Sept. 11, 2008, www.radioevangelizacion. Zelaya government. php?p=16982, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. org/spip.php?article2359, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. 91 Burgos, op. cit. 56 Ibid. 68 Jesed, “‘Católicas Por El Derecho a Decidir’ Son Abortistas, Advierte Arzobispo Peruanojesed,” 92 Ibid. 57 The son of a Spanish immigrant who arrived Dec. 17, 2009, http://jesed.wordpress. in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century, com/2009/12/17/catolicas-por-el-derecho- 93 Ibid. Manuel Senderos was a business owner a-decidir-son-abortistas-advierte-arzobispo- and leader who drove the founding of the peruano, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. 94 Ibid. Universidad Panamericana and the Centro de Estudios Económicos del Sector Privado [Center 69 Noticias, “Biography of Monsignor Luis Sánchez- 95 One of the people who studied that in the 1980s for Economic Study of the Private Sector]. Moreno Lira,” www.3i.com.pe/index/index. was the journalist Manuel Buendía, author of He helped create Bosques de las Lomas, a php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1 works such as La ultraderecha en México. neighborhood dedicated to promoting economic 68:biografia-de-monsenor-luis-sanchez-moreno- activity in Mexico City. He died in Mexico at lira&catid=4:varios-cat, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. 96 See Lauro Jiménez Jiménez, “El Yunque, La age 92. (Revista Quién, April 14, 2009). ultraderecha en Querétaro,” México, 2008. 70 Romana, No 46, January-June 2008, p. 134. 58 A major hotel manager who in 1967 founded 97 ¡Hola! No. 174, April 7, 2010. the company Promotora Mexicana de Hoteles, 71 Mons. Jesús Moliné Labarta, “Key to officers which the next year became the Operadora of the PUCP,” www.obispadodechiclayo.pe/ 98 Edgar González Ruiz and Josefina Vazquez Mexicana de Hoteles. “Posadas” mons_jesus/notas_prensa/a_autoridades_pucp. Mota, “Against the Right,” http://contra-la- www.economia.com.mx/posadas.htm, accessed aspx,” accessed Nov. 2, 2010. derecha.blogspot.com/2006/05/josefina-vzquez- Nov. 1, 2010. mota.html, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. 72 ACI Prensa, “Benedicto XVI nombra un nuevo 59 A business leader, presided over COPARMEX Obispo para zona golpeada por terremoto 99 “Carlos Llano, la partida de un grande,” from 1982-1984, also the Unión Social de en Perú,” Oct. 31, 2007, www.aciprensa.com May 7, 2010, www.yoinfluyo.com/index. Empresarios Mexicanos [Social Union of (Noticias › Vaticano), accessed Nov. 2, 2010. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216 Mexican Businessmen, or USEM], which brings 58:carlos-llano-la-partida-de-un-grande&catid=1: together Catholic businessmen. Of Basque origin, 73 Caretas, No. 1550, Jan. 14, 1999. reportajes&Itemid=222, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. he was born in Getxo and died in Mexico in 2009. (Antonio Rangel, “Vascos in Chihuahua,” 74 Catholic Hierarchy, www.catholic-hierarchy.org, 100 Cecilia Romero et al., “La vida ante la Corte, Oct. 19, 2008, http://vascosmexico.com/index. accessed Nov. 2, 2010. Inconstitucionalidad del aborto,” Enlace, php?option=com_content&task=view&id=309& Mexico, 2008, p. 277. Itemid=43, accessed Nov. 1, 2010.) 75 Ibid. 101 Virginia Ávila Garcia, “El trabajo femenino 60 As president of the Instituto Mexicano de 76 Ibid. y las relaciones de genero y poder en el Ingenieros Químicos, A.C., [Mexican Institute Opus Dei,” http://148.202.18.157/sitios/ of Chemical Engineers, or IMIQ], Alvarez 77 Ibid. publicacionesite/pperiod/esthom/esthompdf/ Guerrero participated in conversations with esthom17/101-125.pdf, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. the government of Díaz Ordaz to neutralize 78 Ibid. the student movement before the Olympic 102 Romana, “The condition of women,” July- Games that began in October, 1968. See 79 Ibid. December 1995. Instituto Mexicano de Ingenieros Quimicos, “Ing. Alejandro Álvarez Guerrero,” http:// 80 Ibid. 103 “Diputada Pz Gutierez Cortina,” http:// web.imiq.org/index.php?option=com_ sil.gobernacion.gob.mx/Librerias/pp_ content&view=article&id=126:ing- 81 Ibid. PerfilLegislador.php?Referencia=2306647, alejandro-alvarez-guerrero&catid=44:ex- accessed Nov. 3, 2010. presidentes&Itemid=66, accessed Nov. 1, 2010. 82 Ibid. That same year, he founded the first cable 104 See curriculum on Cecilia Romero et al., La Vida television company, Visión por Cable de 83 Ibid. ante la Corte. Inconstitucionalidad del aborto, pp. México, in Tijuana, Baja California. (Alicia Ortiz, 269-279. This book was published to oppose the Semanario Personajes, Feb. 19, 2008.) 84 Ibid. legalization of abortion in Mexico City.

61 Eneko Belausteguigoitia Arocena, businessman 85 Ibid. 105 Ibid. in the Lagunera region (in Torreón), also founder of the Museo Arocena. 86 Michael Walsh, op.cit. 106 Universidad Panamericana, “Claustro Docente,” www.mixcoac.upmx.mx/Default.aspx?doc=532, 62 Pico Alejandro Armenta, “Integral Training,” 87 Ibid. accessed Nov. 2, 2010. www.ipade.mx/programas/formacion-integral/ Pages/formacion-integral.aspx, accessed 88 Ibid. 107 Diario Liberación, “Representantes del Opus Dei Nov. 2, 2010. han copado altos cargos en el Perú,” Jan. 31, 2001. 63 BBC World, op.cit.

24 A Primer on Opus Dei in Latin America

108 Román de la Fuente, “Historia secreta del 128 Emilio J. Corbiere, Opus Dei, El totalitarismo 143 See, for example, www.opuslibros.org. This Opus Dei en el Perú,” Liberación, Lima, católico, Buenos Aires: Editorial Sudamericana, website also contains internal documents of that March 30, 2001. 2002. group. See also, “Opus Dei — The Unofficial Homepage” at www.mond.at/opus.dei. 109 El Poder en el Perú, “Ficha de Dionisio Romero 129 “La red del Opus Dei en América Latina,” Seminario,” www.elpoderenelperu.com/inicio/ El Nuevo Herald, Nov. 11, 2002. 144 Castalio, “A Los Numerarios de México,” ficha/5, accessed Nov. 2, 2010. www.opuslibros.org/nuevaweb/modules.php? 130 Corbiere, op. cit., p. 45. name=News&file=article&sid=15980, accessed 110 “La Universidad de Piura forma líderes Nov. 3, 2010. con mentes claras y corazones limpios,” 131 José Manuel Fernández, “Research conducted http://www.dircom.udep.edu.pe/index. by Izquierda Unida [United Left] on the 145 “Life and Miracles and Escriva, Founder php?t=2009/abril/363_02, accessed participation of Spain and the US in the coup of Opus Dei,” www.opuslibros.org/libros/ Nov. 2, 2010. d’état in Venezuela,” www.soberania.org/ Carandell/santa_conqueteria.htm, accessed Articulos/articulo_059.htm, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. 111 Herbert Mujica Rojas, “El benefactor Dionisio Nov. 3, 2010. Romero,” Red Voltaire, March 1, 2004. 146 Camino, 946. 132 Alejandro Espinosa, El legionario, Mexico: 112 Ibid. Grijalbo, 2003. Espinosa was one of those 147 El Mercurio, “Por acidente, ex alumno demanda disciples who decades earlier had been abused a su Universidad,” Nov. 12, 2009, http://diario. 113 BBC World, op. cit. by Maciel. elmercurio.cl/detalle/index.asp?id={21d0cbee- ba0d-4d27-86a6-7cf0a14bf4c6}, accessed 114 María Olivia Mönckeberg, “El lado Opus 133 “Hijos de Marcial Maciel lo acusan de abuso Nov. 3, 2010. de Joaquín Lavín El Supernumerario sexual,” La Jornada, March 4, 2010. Presidenciable,” El Periodista, Year 3, No. 59, 148 Castilio, “Cómo fabricábamos numerarios en Thursday, April 8, 2004. 134 Jason Berry, “Money paved way for Maciel’s México,” July 10, 2009, www.opuslibros.org/ influence in the Vatican,” National Catholic libros/castalio_fabricacion.htm, accessed 115 Ibid. Reporter, April 6, 2010. Nov. 3, 2010.

116 Ibid. 135 Allen, op. cit. p.12. 149 Ibid.

117 “La red del Opus Dei en América Latina,” 136 In this sense, the following sentence from 150 Opuslibros, testimony of a former student of the op. cit. Escrivá de Balaguer has been often commented Universidad Panamericana, published March 10, upon: “If you want to give yourself to God in 2010, www.opuslibros.org/nuevaweb/index.php, 118 Gustavo Gómez, “Vicario Regional habla the world, rather than being scholarly (women accessed Nov. 3, 2010. en Revista Semana,” Sept. 28, 2009, needn’t be scholars: it’s enough for them to be www.opusdei.org.co/art.php?p=35366, accessed prudent) you must be spiritual, closely united to 151 Opuslibros, www.opuslibros.org/nuevaweb/ Nov. 2, 2010. our Lord by prayer: you must wear an invisible modules.php?name=News&file...sid..., accessed cloak that will cover each and every one of your Nov. 3, 2010. 119 “La red del Opus Dei en América Latina,” senses and faculties: praying, praying, praying; El Nuevo Herald, Nov. 11, 2002. atoning, atoning, atoning.” (Camino, 946.) 152 Ibid.

120 José Orlandis, “Uno de los primeros miembros 137 Among the critical testimonies by former 153 “The Servant of God Dr. Ernesto Cofiño,” del Opus Dei en Valladolid: Teodoro Ruiz members are those of María del Carmen www.ernestocofino.org, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. Jusué,” www.conelpapa.com/quepersigue/ Tapia, Tras el Umbral. Una vida en el Opus Dei opusdei/opusdeivalladolid2.htm, accessed Nov. (Barcelona: Ediciones B, 1994) and María 154 Opus Dei, “Isidoro Zorzano,” www.opusdei.es/ 2, 2010. Angustias Moreno, La otra cara del Opus Dei art.php?p=120, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. (Barcelona: Planeta, 1978). Countering that, 121 Opus Dei, “57 years of Opus Dei in Colombia,” Opus Dei has disseminated many materials www.opusdei.org.co/art.php?p=30244, accessed in its defense. Currently its point of view Nov. 2, 2010. can be found on websites such as “Opus Dei — Buscar a Dios en la vida ordinaria,” 122 Opus Dei Members, “Eduardo Ortiz de www.opusdei.org.mx., accessed Nov. 3, 2010. Landazuri,” July 28, 2009, http://opusdei- miembros.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive. 138 Isabel de Armas, Ser mujer en el Opus Dei, Tiempo html, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. de recordar, Barelona: Foca, 2002, p. 160.

123 Promesa, www.promesacultural.com, accessed 139 Joan Estruch, Santos y Pillos: El Opus Dei y sus Nov. 3, 2010. paradojas, Barcelona: Herder, 1994.

124 See, for example, Romana No. 37, 140 See fn 137. July-December 2003, p. 65. 141 Max Seitz, “Opus Dei: ¿obra de poder?” 125 Promesa, “Commentators and Speakers,” Sept. 9, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/ www.promesacultural.com/comentaristas.htm, spanish/specials/newsid_4213000/4213870.stm, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. accessed Nov. 3, 2010.

126 Nieves St. Martín, “Protest against Abortion in 142 “Los abusos sexuales del Opus Dei son Madrid,” Oct. 16, 2009, www.zenit.org/article- psicológicos,” May 15, 2009, www.opuslibros.org/ 32910?l=Spanish, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. nuevaweb/modules.php?name=News&file=artic le&sid=14650, accessed Nov. 3, 2010. 127 Romana, “San José, Costa Rica. Students involved in social development projects,” No. 34, January-June 2002, p. 139.

25

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