The difference between Roman Catholic and Opus Dei?

Question

can someone give me a basic list of differences between roman catholic and Oous Dei in the following categories, history, beliefs, practices, worship and churches. I've tried looking on websites but i don't understand it. thanks

Answer 1

I write this from knowledge of personal experience, research and years of working to assist my sister from leaving (finally) the cult of Opus Dei.

Well, Opus Dei is a lay organization that was founded by a Catholic priest. Though it is a Catholic organization in name, and there are MANY devout, loving Catholics that are a part of it, it is a cult. A secret society if you will, which was condemned by Pope Pius IX, Leo XIII, and Benedict XIV, and Opus Dei fits the profile of what a secret society is. Opus Dei is a secret society. A fact they freely admit in there points 168-172. (Please read them).

Secret societies and Opus Dei were condemned by Pius IX. The Bishop of Madrid, Spain, in 1947 condemned it as well.

All I could offer as far as proof would be hundreds of anecdotal episodes, which taken each individually would not amount to proof, but taken together, are quite alarming. I was never admitted into their inner circle, thank God.

I can attest to their aggressive recruitment tactics, which include the use of teams of people that befriend you in different ways. They try to invade every aspect of your life- chance meetings with other people are often not really "chance" but prearranged. This is not so hard to do with people who are trying to stay Catholic in an anti-Catholic world. (The big problem with all of this is the dishonesty. Of course the people used as instruments truly aren't intending to be dishonest- they are really trying to be good and believe they are doing the right thing.) They drive wedges between recruits and their parents- the priests and counselors often advise children to do things against the wishes of their parents, including joining the Work. I was once privy to a situation where a 16 year old girl was being secretly helped by other families (and their children) to join Opus Dei after her father had forbidden her to do so.

One thing that always bothered me, was the fact that they rarely did anything that would outwardly identify them as Catholics. Making the sign of the cross in public never happens, New York City headquarters of Opus Dei does not have any religious symbols on it to indicate it is Catholic, among other things.

Opus Dei uses strong teachings in the faith, but not for the good of the Church, to lure people in sometimes at the age of 16, (my sister) to commit themselves to something that seems like the right thing to do.

The amount of people mentally scarred by this group is growing by the day.

Men who still live at home and hands over a substantial amount of his wages to this Lay organization. A co-operator is sort of like a single Super Numerary, but remains celibate (as one should if single) and gets spiritual direction once a week or so.

To be a member is to be a Numerary, not even Super Numeraries are members, all they do is get spiritual direction probably once a week, send their kids to Opie schools and donate a few bob every year.

Supernumeraries are the friendly 'normal' face of Opus Dei. Through out this whole Da Vinci Code thing (where the opie character is a Numerary), opus dei continually used Supers as spokesmen for the organization, only every now and then was a Numerary used as a way to beat off the questions of mind control and secrecy etc.

I know for a fact that Opus Dei has nothing on the outside of their centers to say that they are Catholic, nor do they on the inside until one enters the 'chapel' where the Blessed Host is kept. Opus Dei houses are very much like yours or mine, but they have a chapel inside them, which is very weird. I dont know of any other predominately lay organization that has the privilege of the Most Holy Sacrament available in the bedroom next door (chapel), and can, (not saying it does), lead to abuse to the Body of Christ.

Opus Dei themselves are their own worst enemy. You can only go on for so long living a fruitless unsacramented life as a numerary, giving your life and well earnt money away for the 'benifit of Gods Work', and soon will come the day when a top Opus Dei member leaves and exposes this group for what it is.

Any Christian/Catholic organization, be it a charity, a lay movement etc always have something to promote they are Catholic, or use Catholic principles. (St. Vincent De Paul for example have a crucified hand holding another with a cup)

Opus Dei centers House the Body of Christ and therefore should have something at least to let FELLOW Catholics know that Our Lord is present in that house. even if its the symbol of Opus Dei (a circle with a cross inside it) painted on a window or fence, at least something.

Now the argument arising out of this will be that Opus Dei centers are not Church's, they can be likened to a home of a priest (the name escapes me at the minute I know it starts with 'P') I suppose, because a Priest lives there, but every home of a priest I've seen has some icon to let people know that a priest lives there.

Why then if it is a home of a priest do lay people (numeraries) live there? They are not priests are they?

What my argument is, is if the Body Christ is housed at the home of numeraries why dont fellow Catholics know that He is there that they may go and spend a few minutes with Our Lord...he did die for many. I'm not saying that there should be big signs and neon lights, just some small thing, like a light or a sign to let people know He is there.

But then again the people who go in might not be the Opus Dei type and the last thing Opus Dei wants are homeless, un-educated, blue collar working, or un-employed people traipsing through their lovely buildings and marble floors.

Answer 2

Opus Dei Cult

Answer 3

Catholics who belong to Opus Dei are more devout Catholics. You must understand that Opus Dei is not a totally different religion (despite what the Da Vinci Code says-terrible movie, by the way) it is a group of Catholics who want to become even more holy. Does that help any?

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
The difference between Roman Catholic and Opus Dei?
can someone give me a basic list of differences between roman catholic and Oous Dei in the following categories, history, beliefs, practices, worship and churches. I've tried looking on websites but i don't understand it. thanks

Answer 5

Think of Opus Dei as the fundie nut jobs of catholicism.

That is, unless some of the conspiracy theories are true. As a cult within a cult it's hard to separate the truth from the propaganda. They may border on snake-handling insanity or they may just be tongue-talking closet cases.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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