It looks solid enough, Opus Dei's new17 story headquarters on the corner of E.34th St. and Lexington Avenue in New York, built at a cost of $42 million. There are two chapels, a library, conference rooms, living quarters, dining room and office of the U.S. vicar, Rev. Ame Panula, according to Charles Bell, the religion writer for the New York Daily News, May 13, 2001.

Nothing tells the world that the building is associated with Opus Dei, as it hides behind the sign, Murray Hill Place. That, my friends, is a worry to all who understand the secretiveness of this organization, a secretiveness mandated by its Constitutions, and which flows naturally from its Spanish origins.

In his book, Saints and Sinners, Joan Estruch tells us that scheming is cultivated in Spain as a national sport. Influence peddling, tax fraud, using the same methods as your enemy, are all virtues practiced discreetly, but brazenly with holy shamelessness.

If Opus Dei were a small mom-and-pop operation, we could dismiss this penchant for dishonesty as of no consequence, but such is not the case, according to Estruch:

"The order typically relies on complex networks of Opus-owned or controlled holding companies and banks, and shadowy networks of financial supporters to fund its operations... some with notoriously tainted money, such as the millions of dollars channeled to the order by the Spanish holding company Rumasa before its well-publicized bankruptcy in 1983."

A 1979 Opus report listed participation of its members in 197 colleges and universities, 694 newspapers and magazines, 52 television and radio stations, 38 news agencies and 12 cinema companies worldwide.

Estruch quotes Ana Sastre (Tiempo de caminar) as stating that Escriva spent his whole life without money, and that he begged his whole life, sponging off the people and bargaining. In return, he assured them that they would "receive their money in heaven, multiplied a hundredfold... and eternal life."

With regard to the sanctuary, the things of God, Escriva told his followers: "Spend what you owe, even if you owe what you spend." How edifying!

At a meeting with the French members in 1959, he told them: "I want you to be pious, cheerful, optimistic, hardworking, and schemers." (Saints and Schemers p.381)

On p. 942, we find this advice: "The standard of holiness the Lord asks of us is determined by these three points: holy intransigence, holy coercion and holy shamelessness."

If followed to a logical conclusion, a waitress might give a customer change for a ten dollar bill, instead of a twenty, then turn the balance over to Opus Dei, as an example of holy shamelessness -- something to celebrate.

It is this awareness of Opus Dei's deviousness that has appalled so many over the possibility of Escriva's canonization. Do we not see an irresponsibility with other people's money in this world-wide conglomerate? Could this be a deck of cards ready to collapse if banks involved with the order are forced into bankruptcy?

And what about the children? No one from Opus Dei or the Catholic Education Association, or the Doctrine for the Faith has sent directions about how to teach our children about this questionable canonization.

Possibly, without exception, every Catholic teacher begins the day with a prayer that her students will be safe from physical harm, and that she will speak the truth to them throughout the day, for truth is the coin of her realm; without which she is morally bankrupt. How can she praise Escriva today when she realizes there is more than sufficient information available for them to doubt her words, if not today, ten years down the line?

In the primary and middle grades, I would avoid the subject as much as possible, but would answer any questions truthfully, with much care to avoid scandalizing the youngsters.

For junior and senior high students, I would insist that each read Maria Del Carmen Tapia's autobiography, Beyond the Threshold," where we find men and women of sacrifice, prayerfulness and courage, who lived under the kind of stress that could and did break many members' spirits. (Please see Opus Dei - Part II, III, IV)

If there is any description of this secret organization guaranteed to dissuade our young people from joining, this is it. While it won't be a comfortable read, it will be an easy one. In the safety of the classroom, they can discuss what they've learned without fear or shame in questioning what might make them uneasy.

Joan Estruch's book, Saints and Sinners, Oxford Press, 1995 is a serious study of the organization, possibly too difficult for the majority of young people, but wonderful for adults..

Michael Walsh's book, Opus Dei - An Investigation Into the Secret Society Struggling for Power within the Roman Catholic Church, Harper Collins 1989, is an excellent book, as well, possibly, again, more suited for adults.

It would be a blessing if every chancery office would purchase a copy of Parents' Guide to Opus Dei, for every family, Sicut Dixit Press, 305 Madison Avenue, Suite 1146, New York, New York, 10165. It is a sturdy, small pamphlet of 58 pages, which guides parents, teachers, priests and lay ministers in the study of Opus Dei as a cult and a threat to our young people.

In praise of the work: "You are to be commended and held up in honor! God be praised for what you have done. Your (booklet) could not be a better exposition in a very short format." Rev. David Turner, O.S.B., Ph.D. Illinois Benedictine College .

"I found the Guide to be well written and revealing. It will be an excellent reference, and a source of referrals, a God-send for many families. I join you in your hope that our Holy Father will come to see the necessity for change in this group." Rev. Kent Burtner, O.P. , National Consultant on Cults, Winner 1983 Leo J. Ryan Award for contributions in the field of cult awareness.

In the interest of fairness, I purchased and read Opus Dei - Leadership and Vision in Today's Catholic Church, by Vittorio Messori, who collaborated with Pope John Paul II on Crossing the Threshold of Hope. It's as comforting as cotton candy at the State Fair. I kept wishing that every sentence were true.

In an added interest to be fair, just for good measure, I picked up the book, Opus Dei - Who? How? Why? by Giuseppe Romano, foreword by James Cardinal Hickey, Alba House, New York, sixth printing, 2000, but couldn't make it through more than five pages. By then, I was weary of the subject, as, no doubt, are many of you.

Weary we may be, but if we help one young person from being drawn into this cult, it is worth every moment we spend learning about its dangers. God bless each of you and your efforts. Thank you for visiting the site. Peace always.

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