Customer Reviews

Opus Dei: An Investigation into the Secret Society Struggling for Power Within the Roman Catholic Church

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If the researcher of this book had any matter about the 'secret society', he would know that for one: Opus Dei is not an order (to start with). The inaccurate ability to distort what Mr. Walsh considers to be his inside view shows that he also has an disregard for the Catholic Church aswell and therefore from the outset, it is really not worthy of being the 'whole truth' if his personal inhibitions are going to get in the way. Truely, you would not call this objective research. I am sorry but I think this book needs to be redone in an ordered light to what really is Opus Dei (a light for those who want to search for God in their ordinary day).

The book is unfortunately highly biased and riddled with inaccuracies. Messori's book, on the other hand, provides a balanced and accurate representation of Opus Dei.

WALSH HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK! AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN POLITICS, CONSPIRACIES, OR RELIGIOUS ISSUES. WALSH IS ABLE TO GO DEEP INTO THIS WORLD OF OPUS DEI AND GIVE US A HISTORY OF THIS ORDER AND REASONS WHY IT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ORDERS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SINCE THE JESUITS. VERY INFORMATIVE AND BACKED BY OTHER BOOKS, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, AND INTERVIEWS, AND PERSONAL TESTIMONY. WALSH REVEALS SECRETS OF THE ORDER, ESPECIALLY ITS ROLE IN POLITICS AROUND THE WORLD; THE READER WILL NOT WANT TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN. AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO BEGIN THE SEARCH FOR THE HIDDEN TRUTH OF OPUS DEI. THE BOOK IS MORE INFORMATIVE THAN BIAS AND CRITICAL, BUT MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THE READER IS LEFT WANTING MORE!

Walsh, a former Jesuit, bases many conclusions about Opus (admittedly) on the Prelate's constitution of 1950! He holds the Prelature hostage to practices based on their rule of half a century ago. What if someone's only view of America's south was a snapshot of 1954? While it may be true that Escriva was slow to embrace the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council, so were thousands of clerics ordained before 1969. Opus influence in anti-Marxist dictatorships is frequently cited, yet there exists no apology for Jesuits holding state positions in Ortega's Sandanista Cabinet! He concludes that Opus is "less Christian" than those who practice Liberation Theology. Ironically, it was a member of Walsh's former Order that was a US Congressman with a Pro-Abortion voting record.

Michael Walsh discusses systemic aspects of Opus Dei that achieve a regime of thought control within the organization, rightly describing Opus Dei as a "hothouse."

By Maria del Carmen Tapia, Beyond the Threshold, 1998:

Opus Dei silences critical minds. Monsignor Escriva used to say, "I don't want great brains in the Work, because they turn into swelled heads. Average intelligences, if they are docile and faithful, are very effective." An engineer, banker, or scientist tends to have fewer problems with superiors in the Work than humanists, philosophers, or theologians, who are almost always frustrated within the Work. As soon as someone--who may even be a priest--is outstanding in the field of philosophy or theology, Opus Dei will almost certainly end by silencing him....He frequently ends up by leaving the institution or becomes the patient of a psychiatrist. Opus Dei does not let you think nor engage in speculation.

There are times when one must not speak if one does not know the subject. I believe that this is one of those times. Walsh has no relative idea of the meaning behind the Opus Dei. His concepts and his rationale are very contradicting to the spirit of the Opus Dei. It is pertinent to respect others opinions - even those like Walsh's. But it is also pertinent to make it clear when someone attacks or criticizes something that they clearly do not understand. I would definetly NOT recommend this book. Try reading The Man from Villa Tevere or The Way or It is Christ Passing... those can give you a better idea of what the Opus Dei is about.

Does this reader even understand Opus Dei?

For starters, it is not a religious order--a mistake that would allude to his misunderstanding of the most basic aspects of Opus Dei. Opus Dei seeks to bring sanctity into the lives of ordinary people. That is why it wasn't formed as a religious order.

The truth is mixed with the author's schemery to deface an institution of the Church.

Those who read this book should be aware that the author will not give a balanced opinion. In fact, wouldn't this book be a better read if it inspires much hatred in its readers?