Opus Dei

The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, commonly known as Opus Dei (Latin for "Work of God"), is a Roman Catholic institution, composed of a prelate, secular priests, and lay people, whose aim is "to contribute to the evangelizing mission of the Church" by spreading the message that everyone is called to become a saint and an apostle. The Opus Dei Prelature "encourages Christians of all social classes to live consistently with their faith in the middle of the ordinary circumstances of their lives." http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&s=307

Related Topics:
Latin - Roman Catholic - Evangelizing mission - Apostle - Christians - Social class - Faith

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Pope John Paul II established Opus Dei as a personal prelature in 1982, making it a part of the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic Church under the Congregation for Bishops. Based in Rome, the Opus Dei prelature has about 85,500 members in 80 countries. Opus Dei was founded on October 2, 1928 by the Spanish priest Josemaría Escrivá who was canonized in 2002. Opus Dei, he said, offers spiritual training for ordinary citizens who want to use their daily work and activities as occasions for spiritual growth and for improving society.

Related Topics:
Pope John Paul II - Personal prelature - 1982 - Roman Catholic Church - Congregation for Bishops - October 2 - 1928 - Priest - Josemaría Escrivá

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While Popes and many Catholic leaders strongly support what they see as Opus Dei's innovative teachings on holiness for ordinary people, it is accused of being cult-like and ultraconservative. While many Catholic scholars state that the prelature has a revolutionary emphasis on the free initiative of citizens in sanctifying society, its critics allege right-wing connections. Described by some observers as one of the most controversial organizations in the Catholic Church, some Catholic leaders and scholars call it a sign of contradiction.

Related Topics:
Catholic leaders - Sign of contradiction

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