L'Opus Dei : enquête sur le "monstre"

L'Opus Dei : enquête sur le "monstre" (English: Opus Dei: Inquiry into the "Monster") is a French-language journalistic and historical work of Patrice de Plunkett about Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church. Plunkett was the editor of the French magazine Le Figaro. His book was released on 17 May 2006, the debut of the film The Da Vinci Code which portrayed Opus Dei in a negative light.^[1] The purpose of the book is to inform the public about the Catholic Church, Christianity and Opus Dei,^[2] and to understand the black legend against Opus Dei.^[3]

Purpose[edit]

According to Plunkett, the purpose of his book was to "re-inform our contemporaries" because "We are entering an era where Christianity is not known to the public."^[4] He sees that The Da Vinci Code sends the following message:^[3][4]

• Opus Dei is a monster
• Opus Dei is a product of the Church
• The Church makes monsters

He believes that Opus Dei is a "concentrate" of what our times accuse the Roman Catholic Church of. By casting light on the daughter (Opus Dei), he said, he was casting light on the mother (the Catholic Church).^[4]

Plunkett begun his research when he found out that 31% of French readers believed in the contents of The Da Vinci Code, although he already had an initial idea of conducting an investigation when there was media consensus against the beatification of Josemaría Escrivá in 1992.^[2]

Content[edit]

The poor image of Opus Dei, Plunkett concluded, is due in part to the Opus Dei strategy of silence or "discretion".^[3][4] He is certain that members and officers of Opus Dei committed mistakes that contributed to this poor image.^[4] "But nothing, in fact, corresponds to the charges (even hugely improbable) that circulate against Opus Dei," he stated.^[3] The error of Opus Dei was to extend its system of "discretion" (born of the Spanish situation) beyond the borders of Spain.^[3] This gave Opus Dei an image of a secret society. The reason it fells into this error was its great confidence in the universality of its form of organization. And it took The Da Vinci Code for Opus Dei to understand how this discretion has harmed it.^[4]

Plunkett asserts that his investigation has led to surprising discoveries.^[3] "It is not the left that opened hostilities against Opus Dei but the extreme wing of the Francoist government in Spain of the 1940s, because Josemaria Escriva refused to integrate with the official ideology of the time! "Holy Mafia", "White freemasonry': all these terms which our present-day media make use of today when they speak of Opus Dei, have been forged in Spain for over sixty years by the newspapers of the Falange."^[4]

As to the reason why the black legends against Opus Dei ran across the decades, Plunkett provides this explanation:^[3][4]

• From 1970 to the present, society projected its successive fantasies on Opus Dei, according to the "needs" of every era.
• The 70s media brought back the idea of Opus Dei rightist mafia that was opposed to the ideas of 1968.
• The 80s saw Opus Dei as representing the "cult" which was an enemy of individualistic hedonism and consumerism.
• The 90s decided that the conservative shift of John Paul II can only be explained by a conspiracy hatched by Opus Dei.

After September 11, 2001, the media dressed up Opus Dei again into something else: "the secret network that is plotting the victory of the Christian West." European opinion leaders were threatened by Islam but didn't want to deal with it, and so they posed as critics of all fundamentalism in religion. They attribute this fundamentalism in the Catholic Church to Opus Dei.^[4]

Between 2001 and 2006, the myth of Opus Monster was fed by the appearance of Christianophobia or Catholic phobia in the wealthy Western societies, especially France. After September 11, our opinion leaders decided that all religions are dangerous.^[3] They searched among the Catholic groups what would embody the fundamentalism that they saw in Islamic groups. And they chose Opus Dei. This is the latest mutation of a virus containing a black legend.^[3]

Thus, Plunkett said that from age to age, society uses the myth of the Opus Dei monster for different reasons, even contradictory to each other. Opus Dei, the "enemy of today's values" for the Falange is still the "enemy of today's values" for the liberals.^[4]

Enquête sur le « monstre » explains the success of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code on the popular image which has been carved through the decades, an image to which Dan Brown can easily add another layer, even darker and scarier, because the public has already been accustomed to see Opus Dei as a monster. Thus, Plunkett dedicates a chapter on conspiracy theories throughout the centuries: Jesuit conspiracy, Masonic conspiracy, Jewish conspiracy.^[4]

Plunkett is perplexed whether the monstrosity that scares both the rightist Spaniard of the 1940s and the contemporary journalist is really monstrous or it is Opus Dei's vision of life, the Catholic vision of life, something that escapes the "politically correct" of each era, i.e. those who are behave in ideologic conformity to an orthodox authority of a specific time.

Today, Plunkett sees Opus Dei has learned the lessons of The Da Vinci Code. It has learned that its traditional discretion has backfired, and that in this day and age transparency is security. "It is essential for people to understand who we exactly are, and what we do, and why we do what we do."^[4]

As to the nature of Opus Dei, he described it as a "service station", providing members and other active people some spiritual services which they ask for, providing advice, methods of prayer, study, evenings of reflection in small groups.^[3] Some of the "users" make a special contract to make a permanent bond between themselves and the service station.^[3]

Many of the members of Opus Dei are engaged in schools, universities, clinics, hospitals, and welfare centers.^[3] He also investigated the accusation on whether there is a financial octopus in Opus Dei, and also the well-known companies created by the laity of Opus Dei, managed by them according to its culture.^[3] He concluded that these companies do not belong to Opus Dei: the money from these corporations - charitable donations, the potential benefits - is not sent to Rome.^[3] If money was sent to Rome, these companies would go bankrupt, he said.^[3] One of the surprises in his investigation is that there is no evidence that Opus Dei functions as a "money pump".^[3]

Research process[edit]

According to Plunkett, Opus Dei was at first cautious about cooperating with the investigation but later on cooperated willingly when it was seen that the investigation was to their advantage due to the success of The Da Vinci Code.^[2]

He also investigated about Opus Dei in other sectors of the Catholic Church, including the Vatican and the dioceses with secular and anticlerical historians. He placed special emphasis on the younger generation of Spanish researchers. He also went to various countries of Europe and Latin America.^[2]

Footnotes[edit]

1. ^ Rendez-vous manqué avec l'Opus Dei in Libre
2. ^ Jump up to:^a b c d Interview with Plunkett in the Opus Dei page
3. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p} Interview exclusif de Patrice de Plunkett, auteur d'une nouvelle enquête sur l'Opus Dei Par Pr. Youri Davincikof
4. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Entretien avec l’auteur de L’Opus Dei – Enquête sur le « monstre », Zenit

References[edit]

• Interview exclusif de Patrice de Plunkett, auteur d'une nouvelle enquête sur l'Opus Dei
• Zenit interview with Plunkett
• Interview in the Opus Dei page
• Entretin avec l'auteur de L'Opus Dei: enquete sur le monstre, Catholique.org
• Rendezvous Manque avec L'Opus Dei, La libre.be

External links[edit]

• Interview exclusif de Patrice de Plunkett, auteur d'une nouvelle enquête sur l'Opus Dei
• Zenit interview with Plunkett
• Interview in the Opus Dei page
• Da Vinci Codex.com
• Entretin avec l'auteur de L'Opus Dei: enquete sur le monstre, Catholique.org
• Rendezvous Manque avec L'Opus Dei, La libre.be

Ding Capitin: a hero who died on National Heroes Day

 

ARMANDO M. CAPITIN

Date of birth: 9 September 1951

Date of death: 30 August 2021

This article puts together accounts of several people about Ding Capitin.

Ding Capitin worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard in the US Embassy, then later as a salesman of Japanese cars. His experience in both institutions honed his training and interpersonal relationship skills. With this, he had the makings of an apostolic hero: friendly, confident and faithful to God. 

Ding got in touch with Opus Dei in an unusual way. A famous columnist writing negatively against some known members of Opus Dei led Ding to discover the truth. As a result, he joined the Work on 7 December 1992 in Sangandaan Cultural Center in Makati, the financial hub of the Philippines. 

From the beginning of his vocation to Opus Dei, he strove to live the spirit of the Work well, striving to sanctify his daily activities and do the norms of piety—a heroism in little things of each day. A triathlete and fitness buff, he brought the spirit of struggle into his Christian life. He pinpointed points of struggle, then prayed to God and worked on these areas until he overcame them. 

At Sangandaan, he joined the center’s Tagalog group, where he became one of the elder brothers who always brought fun and laughter to the group and who regularly shared his wisdom and his apostolic and professional adventures.

This group took charge of dealing with blue-collar workers such as drivers, technicians, janitors, guards, etc. Ding knew that to be an effective formator, he cannot give what he does not have. Thus, he ensured on-time attendance and prioritized his means of formation: recollections, talks, circles, etc. He always arrived early. Oftentimes, you would hear him say that the only time you cannot attend is when you are already dead.  He continued on in Sangandaan until the end of his life, even when the traffic worsened. 

He brought this same dedication and fighting spirit into his professional development. When he retired from the US Embassy, he started to work at Dualtech Training Center, a technical-vocational school that prepares young people for employment in industrial firms. He would bike to and from Dualtech. Despite the inconveniences of a starting school in a new Industrial Park, he would bike through the mud trail every day.

Because of his apostolic heroism, he also helped in the PAREF-Southridge Afternoon School and the Dagatan Family Farm School. After some years, he became full-time in Dualtech while continuing as a peer coach for new fathers in Southridge Afternoon School. 

In Dualtech and Southridge, he made many friends and did a lot of apostolate. As someone who took his formation seriously, he was able to give very good advice to the people around him, guiding them to live a Christian life in their daily lives. 

He was among the team of Industrial Coordinators of Dualtech until his retirement when he became Dualtech’s consultant for community relations. He represented Dualtech in its campaigns to schools and parishes. With tireless enthusiasm, he went to nearly all the regions of the Philippines, from Cuyo in Palawan to Mindanao to Ilocos to Bicol and so on. 

Ding was proud of Dualtech. He offered Dualtech to poor families and students as hope and an opportunity for transformation. He guided the younger Dualtech employees in their life goals and in the pursuit of their careers.  He connected well with young and old, employees and students. He instilled the highest possible degree of discipline among students by ensuring to toughen them up. And he found ways to follow up. Despite the age gap and the busy schedules, he found time to chat with each mentee assigned to him.  

He was also an advocate of exercise and keeping fit. He coached his friends in swimming and running. Dualtech people joined marathons and fun runs because of his influence and eventually Dualtech itself became an organizer of local running events because of his expertise.

Ding enjoyed seeing people happy in any gathering. He would initiate stories or jokes—no matter how “corny"—just to make sure people feel comfortable and enjoy each other’s company. He also loved to take pictures and post happy memories on Facebook.

One of the secrets of Ding’s cheerful disposition is his family. He loved his wife, Caridad, whose nickname is Ying, and brought her along to get-togethers, parties and gatherings. The Capitin couple was always on courtship mode even after more than 30 years of marriage. After years of prayer, God gifted him with Angelo or Gelo, his only son. 

On 23 August 2021, Monday, Ding started not feeling well and asked for prayers. Ding said that he was offering his pains for everyone and praying for them. 

On 25 August, as he said that his condition has improved, he still prepared a video of a talk for the recollection that was shown the following day. He also attended a meeting at Dualtech on 27 August, Friday. 

His health took a sudden turn for the worse on Sunday, 29 August. That night his test indicated that he had Covid. While two ambulances (one sent by a supernumerary friend, Ed Tan, and the other by Dualtech) were on their way to his home the following morning, Ding passed away. 

Ding’s son, Gelo, said that since his dad is a hero, he fittingly died on National Heroes Day. Then he posted every day on his Facebook page the lessons his dad taught him: not to dwell on problems, but to solve them; to be always cheerful, as you can cure someone else’s sorrow;  to listen to others, even though you don’t understand everything, as it is a way of showing love; how to swim and float by relaxing and not being stiff; to do home duties that can be enjoyed to build character and maturity; to maintain a strong bond of connection with your child as the most powerful means to realize the father’s hope for the child; to make your child curious, by explaining things and always answering his questions, no matter how many they were; to be steadfast, since being firm is your weapon so as not to lose hope. 

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Our Mommy, Montse: A Eulogy for Montse Cuervo

If she were here right now, she would ask us to do 2 things.  The first that we Rejoice, just like she rejoiced when our father, Ramon, left us in 2000.  Those of you who were at our father’s funeral mass will never forget how joyous she was because the love of her life was now in the presence of Our Lord – the source of Peace, Love and Everlasting Happiness – and how she longed to be in Heaven with him one day.  That day has come, so yes Mommy, we will rejoice with you as we too look forward to being with you, Pappy, our brothers Ramon and Louie in Heaven.

The second thing she will ask us is that we keep this Eulogy short – 7 minutes to be exact – she believed that after 7 minutes people start to lose interest.  Only she could get away with asking priests she knew to keep their homilies to no more than 7 minutes…so, yes Mommy, we will try and keep this to about 7 minutes even if there is so much we would like to say about you.  I could pass the mic around and I am sure you all have a special story to share.

There is no doubt in Mommy’s mind and heart what her vocation and purpose in life was: to be the best wife and mother she could possibly be for the glory of God.  She did just that every day with Joy and Love, embracing life’s triumphs and tribulations as they came.  She believed everything came to her life for a reason.  She trusted in Our Lord and His Blessed Mother and leaned on them for everything.  Her Faith was unshakable and her Hope was grounded in that strong Faith.

She credited her Faith to her grandmother, Abuelita Blanca Calero, who raised her and her 3 siblings: Tony, Josemari and Conchita.  She was born on the 28^th September 1929 to Federico “Pipo” Calero and Mercedes Zurrunero, who passed away when she was barely 1-year old.  She talked about going to daily Mass with her Abuelita and having a deep devotion to Our Lady, especially in praying the Holy Rosary.  She credited many answered prayers to Our Lady of the Rosary, including how during the Japanese occupation, her brothers were taken away on a truck with other young men.  Their grandmother immediately called Mommy and her sister Conchita to kneel and pray the Rosary.  A few hours later, as they were reciting the Rosary, they see my uncles walking back home.  The truck they were in stalled because the bridge across was bombed, allowing them to jump off, hide in the bushes and run home.  Mommy had many stories about how Our Lady protected them during the war.  She was a thin and sickly child then and her father worried that she will not make it through the war.  However, through the gratitude of a gardener in their employ before the war, who happened to be a Japanese General in disguise, they were able to get access to the food they needed.  He was grateful for the kindness shown to him as he worked for them.

Mommy was educated at St Joseph’s College by Dutch nuns.  She had many fond memories of school and enjoyed learning and being creative.  She had a flair for the dramatic and was chosen to perform in plays and musicals.  One time, she volunteered to do a Chinese dance number, memorizing the lines of the Chinese song every day for many weeks.  Her Chinese classmate tirelessly worked with her to make it as authentic as possible.  Well, on the day of the performance she blanked out on the words of the song.  That did not stop her though and she went on with the show, making up the words to the song while she danced.  She received a standing ovation since nobody in the audience knew what she was saying but the classmate was very angry and never spoke to her again.

Mommy met Pappy when she was “sweet 16” as she would like to say.  They fell in love and married when she was 19 on the feast of St Joseph, the 19^th March 1949.  They were a beautiful couple, very much in love.  At that time, Pappy thought of having about 2 children…ha!  Little did he know that Mommy had made an “agreement” with Our Lady when she was 12-years old.  She asked the Blessed Mother to grant her a good, loving and kind husband and in turn she will generously accept as many children as Our Lords sends her…well, 17 pregnancies – 4 miscarriages which mommy would call our little angels in heaven.  She made good on her promise: 13 children - Chitina, Marite, Ramon, Federico, Fernando, Pachig, Mariita, Louie, Javier, Maricar, Maitoni, Montse, Josemari (singing).  She liked to tell us that we were all made from Faith and Love.  From Chitina, she has 11 great grandchildren and 2 on the way.

Fr Javier “ Fr Jay” de Pedro, who knew my parents since 1964, mentioned that in 1968, Marite called the Centre of Opus Dei asking for my dad to say that Mommy left in a taxi alone to deliver.  She was gifted with having relatively “easy” pregnancies and she cried when the doctors removed her uterus after Josemari, her 13^th, was born and even asked the doctor if she could have a womb transplant!

Our parents joined Opus Dei in the early sixties.  In a trip to Rome to meet the founder, St. Josemaria Escriva, they were told not to mention the problems they were having in the development of the Makiling Conference Centre, which had no source of water.  Upon seeing St. Josemaria, Mommy tells him “no tenemos agua en Makiling”.  St Josemaria said I will pray for this and you will have water and so it came to be when Makiling was completed in Barrio TULO, Calamba.

Our parents complemented each other perfectly:  Pappy was organized and intellectual who loved to travel, learn other cultures, listen to classical music and watch movies.  Mommy was spontaneous, creative and street-smart, she loved to sing and dance and did not like to travel or go to movies and instead preferred to read the newspaper for her diverse clippings, her health and cook books and attend to her many “projects” at home.  They made it clear to us that we were first in mind when making choices in life.  We had the most wonderful meals at home, bonding on stories and experiences long after the meal was done.  These were precious moment to us and we are so grateful to Pappy and Mommy for doing this for us when we were growing up.

Her projects!  She always had some project going on, mostly around health and getting the best bang for your buck.  She had to stretch her budget and she did so in the most entertaining and fun way.  One of her first projects was vermiculture raised in trays of soil in the basement as it was a cheap source of protein that she would sell as we refused to eat it!  Those earthworms multiplied quickly and there were more and more trays of soil.  This went on for many months until our father had a nightmare that the worms overtook the whole house and asked our mother to either sell of get rid of the worms.  There was also the time when she read that putting some sort of mineral powder on the navel of tomatoes will keep them fresh for weeks.  However, instead of trying it out on a few tomatoes, we had every shelf in the kitchen lined up with tomatoes, which did rot in a few days.  Or that time when she read that crushing garlic and fermenting it for 1 year will give you a natural antibiotic.  She had all the helpers, her trusty side-kick, Mary “Tory” Pastori and friends, peeling and pounding garlic until their hands burned.  They kept the crushed garlic in a large clay vat in the garage for 1 year and when it was opened, a certain species of worm that we have never seen before emerged.

Not all her “projects” flopped though.  In fact, she was ahead of her time in alternative medicine and natural healing.  She took a long-distance course in Reflexology in the late 70s teaching whoever she could, especially those that she knew could not afford medicine and provided them with a skill for livelihood.  She showed them how they could cure their ailments by pressing pressure points or prevent sickness with good nutrition and supplements.  It was sometimes embarrassing seeing her explain to the pregnant cashiers at Unimart how they should hold on to a comb while giving birth “but watch out, it might come out like a bullet so let go of the combs as soon as the baby is starting to come out”.  They listened to her and were very grateful for her tips – she sounded very convincing!  Her friends would call her and she would prescribe vitamins, minerals or some other alternative means to heal themselves and their families.  She seemed to have success as they kept on calling her back, much to our father’s worry that she prescribe the wrong thing and do more harm than good.

Another discovery was the Kalan stove that she brought with us to a camping trip to 100 Islands.  It saved the day as it used bunched up newspapers for fuel and cooked a feast for us every day.  She hosted sewing circles, did Paper Mache, Macrame, pottery, beads, tie-dye – name the craft, she did it – and enjoyed it very much although she did not stay in it too long and always moved on to try something new.

Mommy loved to joke around and play silly pranks on us and her 28 grandchildren.  Even in her last years and thru her illness her humour was never dampened.  Her grandchildren would be sitting around with her and she would start to breathe deeply, when they asked her what was wrong she would mischievously say, “I am just practicing for when I become a multo”.  At night, she would sneak up on the house staff as they were relaxing in the kitchen and make ghost sounds to scare them.

She loved to give us tips.  One of her favourite tips was to rely on our Guardian Angels.  She would call on her Guardian Angel to help her find her keys, eyeglasses or keep an eye on us as we went out at night.  We now all call on our Guardian Angels just like Mommy taught us.  Our eldest sister, Chitina, entrusted the kids during recess in the school she taught in Madrid to their Guardian Angels.  It worked as she was the only teacher that did not have to run to the emergency room in all her years of teaching.  She was also blessed with many guardian angels throughout her life and we are very grateful for them; Claring, Frankie, Sepa, Isabel, Estrella, Aling Maria, Manang Beth and our dear Rose. 

She loved to have people come over and entertain at home.  She charmed our father’s clients and business associates with her stories, light humour and good food.  The house was always open and welcoming.  She reached out and helped everybody and everyone, especially those that needed it the most.  They truly had a special place in her heart.  249 Don Miguel was like Grand Central Station, people coming in and out at all times of the day.  She became a “second mom” to many of our friends and a confidant to many of her friends.

How she loved to talk about Our Lord and the Blessed Mother, her relationship with them was very real.  When we asked her what her intentions were when she prayed the Rosary, she said 3 things:  “first, I pray for peace; second, that no one will be hungry and third, that no one will have serious illnesses.  She planted that seed of love for Our Lord and Blessed Mother in all of us and prayed to the Holy Spirit to guide as along.  She never pushed us but gently reminded us that we were made to be with God.  “In God’s time” or “God knows” she would wisely remind us if we got impatient or anxious when prayers were not answered.  She showed us that we are all Children of God and because of that, everyone we meet should be treated with the love and respect Our Lord would have shown them as they were all precious to Him.  And all this always with much Joy and Generosity.

As Alzheimer’s gradually took over her mind and body, she never lost that Joy, Generosity and Love for God.  She was an easy patient to have and endearing as she remembered once in a while certain things.  Like the time our sister Montse, shocked her by reminding her she had 13 children – “que barbridad!” she exclaimed.  Then she asked who she married and when Montse gave her a hint “RC”, she blushed like that sweet sixteen girl who fell in love and sweetly said his name “Ramon Cuervo” and smiled.  Even to her last conscious moments, she was kind and loving.  When the newly-ordained priest from the parish came to pray with her and bless her a few hours before passing away, she looked at him and said “Good afternoon Father, thank you!”  Those were her last spoken words.

Ok, it is now more than 7 minutes…we would like to end this Eulogy with a video of Mommy a few months ago singing one of the many hymns she sang and which we sang to her in her last moments as she gently swayed to the tune. 

On behalf of the family, her sister Tita Conchita, my brothers and sisters, we thank you for all being here and praying for Mommy.  May we all be inspired by her life, her joy, generosity and love. 

A eulogy for Montse Cuervo by Javier Cuervo delivered on April 7, 2018

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The dictionary definition of the word grandmother is “the mother of your father or mother”. I disagree, a grandmother is so much more. She is your team mate when you argue with your parents. She is the person that gives you little treats like candy, or even better she would let you lick off the icing from the mixer and call it a lollipop. She is someone you share your Halloween candy with, but you especially separate all the marshmallows for her cause you know that it’s her favourite and you secretly don’t like marshmallows anyway. She is someone that lets you use her dining room table as a tent while her circle mates are eating merienda cause it’s air con and that was not the norm in the house.

I could go on and on on what the definition of a grandmother is, but I won’t cause we would be here all day.  But one thing is for sure, abuelita Montse took the word grandmother and changed it to, and in all capitals, GRAND mother. She really took the role of grandmother to heart and she took that word grand and wrote it in all capitals by her acts like her corny and sometimes inappropriate jokes, her singing, and more and throughout her lifetime was our GRAND mother.

And I , just like the 27 other people that had the privilege to call themselves Montse Cuervo’s grandchildren, am eternally grateful to have spent so many years of my life with her, making and sharing memories with her and learning from her. She has truly set the bar for being possibly the best grandmother anyone can ever ask for.

Eulogy by granddaughter Marina for Montse Cuervo

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Other eulogies on this blog:

From Bombi to Ambi for Ray Santiago by Dr. Paul Dumol

Obayism for Obay Rojales by Dr. Raul Nidoy.

The most simple way to try to become a saint

By Chuck in National Catholic Register

Opus Dei is not a member organization in the sense that you fill out an application and get a membership card.  It’s a personal prelature of the Catholic Church.  The name means Work of God.  Opus Dei does have an organizational structure though that includes a Bishop in Rome, centers, priests and lay people who provide support.  Its mission is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society.  It’s all about living holiness in the “middle of the world” as St. Josemaria describes it.  I find it to be the most simple way to try to become a saint that there is.

I was introduced to Opus Dei many years ago and am a Cooperator in central Missouri where we have a growing group of men and women who are trying to live our lives according to the teaching of Jesus.  We receive formation through meetings and living a plan of life that includes daily prayer, Mass, frequent confession and an annual retreat.  I’ve had the opportunity to visit Opus Dei centers here in the U.S. in St. Louis, New York and in Belgium, Germany and Italy.  The priests I’ve met are some of the most joyful I know of.

Opus Dei has had an incredibly positive influence on my life.  My wife and oldest daughter also participate in Opus Dei retreats and feel like its a very important part of their spiritual development.

I am amazed to see the amount of misinformation that is circulated on the internet about Opus Dei.  It’s not a secret society.  There’s actually nothing secret about it.  You can learn more at the Opus Dei website: www.opusdei.org.

Joaquin Navarro-Valls: Vatican Spokesman

Catholic News Agency

During his 22 years as spokesman for St. John Paul II, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls became somewhat of a legend in the Vatican – not only for his keen professional abilities and insight into the Pope's mind, but also for his genuine kindness and deep spiritual life.

In a word, most who knew the late Spanish layman, who died earlier this week, have referred to him as a “gentleman” who was elegant, professional, kind and incredibly savvy. 

John Allen

When I spoke to Navarro for the last time, I tried to tell him what he had meant to me, and how much he had helped me when I was just starting out. I’m not sure he took it all in, because by that stage in the conversation he was obviously fatigued and drifting in and out.

If he didn’t quite get it, let me say it now: I’m probably not here, writing this appreciation or doing anything else in journalism, had it not been for Joaquin Navarro-Valls. To quote Shakespeare, “Take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.”

New York Times

Navarro, as he was widely known, had little in common with the partisan attack dogs of modern-day political warfare.

“Grace under pressure,” Greg Burke, the Vatican’s current spokesman, wrote on Twitter upon his death. In a subsequent email, Mr. Burke attested to Mr. Navarro-Valls’s storytelling skills: “When talking about John Paul, he could have you hanging on every word.”

But Mr. Navarro-Valls’s influence extended beyond the press office.

In 1994, he led the Holy See’s delegation at a conference in Cairo, where he helped form an alliance of Catholic and Muslim nations to oppose the legal recognition of abortion as a human right. He challenged the Clinton administration’s position on the topic. 

National Catholic Reporter

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, who succeeded Navarro-Valls as Vatican press director beginning in 2006, remembered him as a "master in the way he carried out his service."

"Navarro always remained a friend for me, an example of discreet spiritual life, true and profound, fully integrated in his work, a model of dedication at the service of the pope and the church, a master of communications, although for me — as I have already said, but repeat — inimitable," Lombardi said in an editorial published July 6 on Vatican Radio.

Greg Erlandson, director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service, covered the Vatican for CNS from 1986-89. He said that as the first lay director of the Vatican press office, Navarro-Valls "was a groundbreaking figure in Vatican communications."

"He raised the level of professionalism at the press office and embodied that professionalism in his relationship with the world's news media. He exemplified the ideal that one could be a fully professional communicator and at the same time be a person of deep faith," Erlandson said in a July 6 statement.

"In this way, he was the perfect collaborator with the pope he so loyally served, St. John Paul II," he said.

Fr. Raymond de Souza, National Catholic Register

Joaquin Navarro-Valls, one of the most unusual figures in Curial history, died Wednesday and was buried Friday in Rome. St. John Paul’s longtime papal spokesman offered a most extraordinary — and successful — service, one that has lessons for today.

Navarro-Valls was a pioneer. His intimate collaboration with John Paul will unlikely be replicated in any other pontificate. John Paul was unusual, in that he entrusted his papacy over long years to a few key people who therefore were enormously influential: Navarro-Valls; his personal secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz; his prefect of doctrine, Joseph Ratzinger; his vicar for Rome, Camillo Ruini.

Nevertheless, there are lessons for today from Navarro-Valls’ example.

First, a spokesman is only as effective as his principal permits him to be. A spokesman who does not regularly have direct access to the pope will be very limited in his effectiveness. The Vatican press corps must know that the press spokesman has sufficient access to the Holy Father and that his statements do in fact reflect the reality of the situation, and not merely his commentary upon it. When Navarro-Valls clarified something for the press corps, they knew that he was speaking the Holy Father’s mind.

That was not the case after Navarro-Valls retired. His successor, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, was a true gentleman, whose genial manner and generous spirit served the Church well in many difficult moments, but he did not have similar access to either Pope Benedict or Pope Francis. Thus his comments were too often regarded as attempts to spin the events, rather than an authoritative presentation of them.

Second, professional competence matters. It is not essential to have been a journalist to serve as an effective spokesman, but it is necessary to know what journalists need and how they think. That Pope Francis appointed Greg Burke, like Navarro-Valls a veteran journalist, to the post underscores that this lesson has been learned.

Though Navarro-Valls’ principal work was in the Holy See Press Office, he also was a key figure behind the professional training offered to Church communications personnel at the University of the Holy Cross, the Opus Dei university in Rome. Indeed, by sheer force of example, Navarro-Valls led a global shift in the way the Church approached communications. The Holy Cross courses were an institutional expression of it.