Josemaría Escrivá

Saint Josemaría Escrivá (January 9, 1902 ? June 26, 1975), (also known as Jose María or Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albas) was a Spanish Catholic priest and founder of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, popularly, Opus Dei. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II, who declared Saint Josemaria as "counted among the great witnesses of Christianity." http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/archives/1999Nov/222nov23,vol.10,no.222txt/nov23top.htm John Paul II's decree Christifideles omnes also states: "y inviting Christians to seek union with God through their daily work - which confers dignity on human beings and is their lot as long as they exist on earth - his message is destined to endure as an inexhaustible source of spiritual light regardless of changing epochs and situations." http://gabriel.mps.ohio-state.edu/od/opus.dec

Criticism

A vocal defender in life of Catholic orthodoxy and devotion, Saint Josemaría still has many critics.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has been accused of his attitudes towards women. On the other hand, his supporters says that through him Opus Dei have been able to raise the quality of life of many women. His biographers also refer to his utmost respect for women and his interest in improving their lot. The founding director of the Institute for Women's Studies, Prof. Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Ph. D of Harvard University, says: "Opus Dei has an enviable record of educating the poor and supporting women, whether single or married, in any occupation they choose."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has also been criticised for his enthusiasm for the practices of flagellation and mortification of the flesh: he is recorded as having whipped himself until the walls of a bathroom were splattered with blood. He once wrote: "Blessed be pain. Loved be pain. Sanctified be pain...Glorified be pain!" (The Way, #208). However, his supporters and a number of theologians think this is a healthy and holy virtue preached by Jesus Christ and St. Paul, and practised by many saints. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on the Salvific Meaning of Suffering says: "Suffering, more than anything else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption" .

Related Topics:
Flagellation - Mortification of the flesh - Theologians

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accusations of right-wing tendencies, based largely on Saint Josemaría's criticisms of the crimes of Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War, are also common. Critics also point to a an alleged Fascist link, saying that he was a supporter of Francisco Franco. Escriva's followers and some historians have emphasized his personal effort to avoid partiality in politics. Professor Peter Berglar, a German historian, asserts that Franco's falangists suspected Escriva of "internationalism, anti-Spainism and freemasonry" and that during "the first decade of Franco's regime, Opus Dei and Escriva were attacked with perseverance bordering on fanaticism, not by enemies but by supporters of the new Spanish state. Escriva was even reported to the 'Tribunal for the Fight against Freemasonry.'" (Berglar, Opus Dei: Life and Works of Josemaria Escrivá 1994, p.180-181)

Related Topics:
Republican - Fascist - Francisco Franco - Falangists

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although there is a letter from Josemaría to Francisco Franco which shows this supposed link, Escrivá admired Franco. In the letter he also expresses some kind of Spanish patriotism. He actually said "Although alien to any political activity, I cannot help but rejoice as a priest and Spaniard" that Spain, through its Head of State, has officially accepted the law of God in accordance with the Catholic faith. And his Catholic supporters say that Catholicism's law and faith stands for human rights, human dignity and freedom. Escriva together with the Popes have preached that all citizens should practice patriotism and love for their country together with loving other nations as well.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many theologians see St. Josemaria as a modern-day sign of contradiction, a "sign that is spoken against," like Jesus Christ, many saints and the Catholic Church itself throughout its history.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~