''Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church'' is a book written by American journalist
John L. Allen Jr.
John L. Allen Jr. (born January 20, 1965) is an American journalist and author who serves as editor of the Catholic news website ''Crux'', formerly hosted by ''The Boston Globe'' and now independently funded.
Before moving to ''The Boston Globe ...
about the
Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, commonly known as Opus Dei, published in 2005. While the book received mixed reviews, there were more positive reviews than negative. Two journalists referred to it as "widely considered as the definitive book on Opus Dei." On the other hand, some said Allen "applied a daub of whitewash." Agenzia Giornalistica Italiana (AGI), a major Italian news agency, described his work as having an "empirical approach" and that his book is of "great historical and journalistic interest."
Reviews
Although a writer with some liberal leanings, being a regular contributor to the ''
National Catholic Reporter
The ''National Catholic Reporter'' (''NCR'') is a progressive national newspaper in the United States that reports on issues related to the Catholic Church. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, ''NCR'' was founded by Robert Hoyt in 1964. Hoyt want ...
'', John L. Allen Jr. was praised for his work by both members and ex-members, by conservatives and liberals.
His harshest critic was
Damian Thompson
Damian Thompson (born 1962) is an English journalist, editor and author. He is an associate editor of ''The Spectator''. Previously he worked as editor-in-chief of the ''Catholic Herald'' and for ''The Daily Telegraph'' where he was religious a ...
of ''
The Catholic Herald
The ''Catholic Herald'' is a London-based Roman Catholic monthly newspaper and starting December 2014 a magazine, published in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and, formerly, the United States. It reports a total circulation of abo ...
'', who, after saying that his "column is a byword for objectivity", said that Allen "applied a daub of whitewash", because Allen did not interview the senior critic of Opus Dei in Britain, Vladimir Felzmann. Allen later said that he did spend much space in the book analyzing Felzmann's statements versus the testimonies of other people. (See
Opus Dei and politics
Opus Dei and politics is a discussion on Opus Dei's view on politics, its role in politics and its members involvement in politics.
General political matters
Researchers, historians and writers on Opus Dei have said that Opus Dei has a novel ...
). Thompson also said that Allen only saw what Opus Dei showed him. Thompson agreed with Allen though in several points: "Opus Dei is not as black as it is painted," Escriva "anticipated the reforming spirit of the Second Vatican Council," "there is nothing very shocking" about the survival of corporal mortification," and that charges that Opus Dei is "financially corrupt and politically far to the Right," are "years out of date." Another critic is Peter McDermott who still called Allen "respected Rome correspondent." His main point is that Allen "doesn't explore the idea that maybe Opus Dei itself is two different realities." Peter Duffy of the
Jesuit
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weekly, ''
America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
,'' also called him "respected" but said that Allen bent over backwards to explain the harshest criticisms of Opus Dei. Another writer for ''America'', the Jesuit priest
James Martin, after also calling Allen respected, described that book as "exhaustively researched and wholly fascinating exploration of the worldwide organization. Its chief surprise for many readers may have been the author’s detailed and sensitively drawn portrait of the extensive network of social apostolates sponsored by 'The Work,' which has often been criticized for its elitism."
Two journalists called it "widely considered the definitive book" on Opus Dei. One is Martha Teichner of CBS, a four-time Emmy award winner, and the other is Mary Nersessian of CTV.ca News Staff.
Piers Paul Read
Piers Paul Read FRSL (born 7 March 1941) is a British novelist, historian and biographer. He was first noted in 1974 for a book of reportage, '' Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors'', later adapted as a feature film and a documentary. Read ...
of the ''
Telegraph
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages where the sender uses symbolic codes, known to the recipient, rather than a physical exchange of an object bearing the message. Thus flag semaphore is a method of telegraphy, whereas p ...
'' called Allen's work on Opus Dei "a dispassionate assessment...definitive, persuasive and absorbing." ''The Sunday Times'' said it is
"An admirable book the first stop for anyone interested in Opus Dei." ''Time Magazine'' called it a "most informed and sympathetic" account of Opus Dei. Ed Dobeas of
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as "one of the most influential economi ...
said it contained "exhaustive research, interviews and careful analysis," and is a "balanced, perceptive inquiry," while
Publishers Weekly
''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...
said it is a "most informative...exhaustive study," and that Allen's "balanced, even reporting sometimes borders on the clinical."
Fr. Richard John Neuhaus said it is "a candid and careful assessment of what Opus Dei is and isn’t." Christopher Howse says it is a "determinedly unsensationalist but deeply intriguing study."
Joe Szimhart says: "What he put in should go a long way to explain many facets of the Escrivà movement in Catholicism." Paul Baumann of
Washington Monthly
''Washington Monthly'' is a bimonthly, nonprofit magazine of United States politics and government that is based in Washington, D.C. The magazine is known for its annual ranking of American colleges and universities, which serves as an alternat ...
states: "has earned a reputation for balanced, informed reporting. He does not simply reflect the leanings of the liberal weekly paper that is his primary outlet. Here, that reputation gives credence to much of what Opus Dei members tell him in defending the group's philosophy and practices. In that sense, Allen may be too liberal for his own good."
Agenzia Giornalistica Italiana (AGI), a major Italian news agency, described his work as having an "empirical approach" and that his book is of "great historical and journalistic interest."
Allen's recommendations
While Allen's main conclusion is that most of the criticism against Opus Dei are myths created by its opponents or are mainly due to misunderstanding Opus Dei, he also had a list of recommendations for Opus Dei.
To improve its image, Allen recommended that Opus Dei should (1) be more transparent, (2) collaborate with religious orders, and (3) its members should air out in public their criticism of the institution.
However, i
"Let There Be Light - A look inside the hidden world of Opus Dei"(''Washington Monthly'' October/November 2005),
Paul Baumann
Paul David Baumann CBE is an accountant, and was NHS England's Chief Financial Officer from 2012 - 2018. From November 2018 he is the Receiver General of Westminster Abbey.
Life
He grew up in Dorset. His degree was in Modern and Medieval Lan ...
says that Allen's recommendations, which are based on a liberal and Anglo-Saxon cultural prism, still constitute a misinterpretation of Opus Dei's identity.
References
{{Opus Dei
Opus Dei