Magnum Opus
From Margaret Emery
Sir: Like Michael McMahon ('Why I left Opus Dei', 12 October), I first came across Opus Dei as a teenager. I went to their study camps, retreats and social activities. I never came across any youth groups, but they did run boys' clubs and girls' clubs, offering very different activities from a conventional youth group's. I suspect it was actually one of these that Mr McMahon attended, and he didn't realise it. No matter. Like Mr McMahon, I never joined Opus Dei and, in fact. I was never invited to. I still go to their annual masses, and attend the odd retreat or family day, and I have many friends involved in 'the Work', some dating back to my teenage years. Some like myself are not full members, others have dedicated their lives. They are a very sincere and kind group of people, who work hard to sanctify their work in the world. They serve God in many ways, including schools, universities, and among the sick and the poor. I have a very high regard for the priests and members of Opus Dei.
Now, you may be wondering, if Opus Dei is a benign organisation, full of kind people doing good works, why do they get so much bad press, and why the ridiculous stories of the kind put about by Mr McMahon? What is the dark secret about this organisation that makes people dislike them so much?
• The answer was hinted at by one word in the article: 'ultra-conservative' — a word with negative connotations that is used about any group or individual to mean that they agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church about birth control, remarriage after divorce, sex and the ordination of women.
Margaret Emery
London SW19
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