Jan-Erik Andelin: "Opus Dei -- The Pope's Bold and Beautiful" Opus Dei -- The Pope's Bold and Beautiful ============================================= This 30' documentary program was broadcast in the TALKING HEADS series on Finnish TV1 nationwide television 7 November, 1995 ============================================= -------------------- PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT Today's TALKING HEADS deals with Opus Dei. Since some ten years, the Opus Dei is the Pope's personal prelature within the Roman Catholic church. It is a modern movement, that mainly attracts young people. -------------------- TALKING HEADS JINGLE --------------------------------------------------------- Soundbite of POPE JOHN PAUL II speaking at a gathering of young people in Loreto, Italy in September 1995 "Carissimi gioveni ..." (My beloved youngsters) --------------------------- JAN-ERIK ANDELIN, Reporter: How is the Catholic church able to gather such masses? It is a _different_ church, it has old-fashioned rules, and to many moral issues it takes a totally different stand than Western people in general do. A small Spanish priest, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, came up with one solution. He founded a strong, powerful and half-secret society, where the members could devote themselves to their career and their own success. They are 80,000 and they are called numeraries and super-numeraries. The movement is called Opus Dei. ------------------------------------- PIARO (31), journalist in Rome, Italy Status in Opus Dei: not a member They are very successful inside the Vatican, especially during the present Pope ... The members of Opus Dei consider themselves responsible Catholic lay people, who represent "the Church in the world". They don't wait for the priest to suggest to them what to do. ------------------------------------ REPORTER'S stand-up in Madrid, Spain So if you don't trust the priests, you'll have to trust something else. Opus Dei is a religion that puts its trusts in university people, in scientists with a high education, in leading journalists, in people in the business world. Opus Dei was founded here in Spain. ------------------------------------------------------ ARANCHA (27), computer researcher in Valladolid, Spain Status in Opus Dei: numerary member I'm working with my doctoral thesis. It is about the use of expert systems to detect glaucoma. I apply different techniques related to artificial intelligence in the research of the human eye. I have studied Physics at the University of Valladolid and also at a university in the United States, Boston University. ------------------------------------------------- JAVIER (31), computer researcher in Madrid, Spain Status in Opus Dei: ex-member In Opus Dei they use to talk about the "Apostolate of the head". They say that fishes and humans should be captured by their heads. So I think they chose me because I had very good notes in school. I came here when I was about 15. The place is called Club Arguelles, like this part of the city. There's no reference to Opus Dei in the name of the club, and in the phone directory it's likely they have a totally other name ... it can be the "Club of Accelerated Learning" or something of that kind. The name Opus Dei never appears in the clubs they run. ----------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces an Opus Dei centre in Valladolid, Spain This is a party at an Opus Dei centre in Spain. Many young people come to Opus Dei because they've got the best parties. Here you get to know other people who already belong to Opus Dei. Someone among them, usually someone at your own age, may finally become your spiritual director. That is a person who will know _everything_ about you. --------------------------------------------- "YOLI" (about 20), student somewhere in Spain Status in Opus Dei: ex-member [My spiritual director] was a very charming woman, she got along well with people, she was open, expressive and caring. Every time we met she kissed me and asked me how everything was going. In the end she was like my mother. --------------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces study rooms, tutoring at the Opus Dei centre: Others who are successful at school, or in their studies, feel good with Opus Dei. Here you get help to become even more successful. ----------------- JAVIER, ex-member They helped me a lot with my studies, and they gave me a pleasant environment where I could study. But soon I started participating in meditations and retreats, where we were isolated from the rest of the world for 2 or 3 days. You were not allowed to speak and you were supposed to listen to the spiritual directors and the priest all the time. ----------------- "YOLI", ex-member They got me into a situation, where I felt trapped. I could no longer get out. There was no return, because I knew that if I said "no", I would not be happy, I would be a selfish person. In fact they created a situation, where I felt guilty. So I thought that if God had given me some qualities, then I was supposed to use them. I had no choice. So I made up my mind, and I wrote The Letter. ------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces Opus Dei headquarters in Rome The letters that many finally write, end up here, in Rome. This is Opus Dei's world headquarters. Escrivá de Balaguer moved here in order to be close to the Vatican. All members of Opus Dei have written a personal letter to him, or to his successor, to become members. Escrivá de Balaguer's teachings are simple: just be good at what you are doing; that's good enough for God. Successful and rich Catholics liked this. Only 17 years after Escrivá de Balaguer's death in 1975, he was beatified in St. Peter's Square in Rome in 1992, with the support of influential Catholics. The beatification is a step in the process of becoming a saint. ------------------------------------------------- POPE JOHN PAUL II speaks at Escrivá de Balaguer's beatification ceremony in 1992 The day of June, 26th shall always be celebrated in memory of Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer ... in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. ------------------------ ARANCHA, numerary member The Founder [of Opus Dei] is my Father, or I consider him to be my father. I have really learned a lot from his teachings and from his life ... He wasn't a person who said one thing and did the other; he had incarnated the Opus Dei spirit in himself. ------------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces tomb church and crypt of Escrivá de Balaguer in Rome Below the Opus Dei headquarter in Rome, there is a crypt and and a church. Here Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer is buried. People kiss small pictures of him. --------------------------------------------------- JUAN (31), Spanish medical doctor, studying in Rome Status in Opus Dei: numerary member Opus Dei is an institution of the Church. We revere the Pope, the Roman pontifex as the Vicar of Christ on Earth. It's important to follow the person who represents Christ. If you do that you know that you follow the Lord. - Are you a Fundamentalist ? No. ------------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces consecration of 54 Opus Dei priests in Saint Eugenio's church in Rome The present leader of Opus Dei, Javier Echevarria consecrates new priests for Opus Dei. It's not just anybody who can become one of the few Opus Dei priests. Among these men there are former medical doctors, computer experts, business managers, consultants and lawyers. --------------------- JUAN, numerary member I want to become a priest, because I want to serve the Church and Opus Dei according to God's will. I have come to Rome to complete my studies of Theology. First you have to have a master's degree in Theology, and then one in Philosophy. Then I will maybe write a a doctoral thesis. ----------------- JAVIER, ex-member Another thing that limited my freedom very much, and which controlled my mind, was that I wasn't allowed to read any book I liked. All books are checked. They are indexed in their own category: some books you may read freely, others you may read only after consulting your director. Some of the books you can read only after reading an "antidote", as they say, first. And then there are books that you are not allowed to read at all. Of them they only have a review or a digest, like for instance "The Capital" by Marx. I needed that book for my studies, but I could only read it as a summary, compiled by Opus Dei. ----------------- "YOLI", ex-member In Opus Dei, I think they practically control everything. It starts from them talking to you a lot, just to find out what you think about the most different things. Then they start giving you ideas about how a numerary member should act, think and reason. Then there is also the emotional control. They try to control your feelings, they say that you are supposed to hold back your feelings and not to be too spontaneous, to have a "reticent and guarded heart". ----------------- JAVIER, ex-member In Opus Dei they say that the customs oblige more than the norms. There are really many norms -- hundreds of them -- in Opus Dei. One of the customs is the "weekly chat". Once a week you have to tell _everything_ to your director, even the most intimate thoughts you may have. That's a form of control, because the director knows everything about you. He, in his turn, gives a report to his superiors and so it goes on upwards. In the end, the highest superior has a very clear idea about everything about every member. ----------------- "YOLI", ex-member They also control all forms of information. They controlled my letters. When I wrote letters to my family and to my friends, I had to hand them in at the centre. And when I received letters, they were already opened and somebody had read them. ------------------------------------------------------ ANA (29) director of an Opus Dei centre in Valladolid Status in Opus Dei: numerary member I don't think I like the the term "spiritual director", because it suggests that we are trying to steer people in a certain direction. - But we _know_ that the girls here at this centre have spritual directors. How many of the girls are yours ? In Opus Dei, eh, at this centre there are 40 students, of which 15 are members of Opus Dei. They all talk to me, anytime they want to themselves. ----------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces dance party at an Opus Dei centre At this party there are only girls. At an early stage, Opus Dei separates boys from girls, men from women. Many of these girls live -- or will live -- in celibacy. When you join Opus Dei as a numerary member, you will never have an economy of your own, or a family. As a woman you will never have any relationship to a man either. ------------------------ ARANCHA, numerary member Of course, the natural thing is wanting to be married. I had that idea, too -- before I learned to know the Opus Dei. But then I realized that in Opus Dei I could fulfill all my ideals. I understood that God needed people to spread the message of Opus Dei, the things that had inspired our Founder. God needed people who lived without family ties, who could move around to different places freely, to start up The Work in different countries. I just realized I could do this in order to help so many more people. ---------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces non-celibate category of members There are also Opus Dei members who live ordinary lives, with families and children. They are called _supernumeraries_. Alicia and Leopoldo belong to this category of members. ----------------------------------------- ALICIA (30), medical doctor in Valladolid Status in Opus Dei: supernumerary member We pray half an hour in the morning, and half an hour in the evening; we pray the Rosary. Then we read spiritual literature for a quarter of an hour every day -- we read a spiritual book 10 minutes, and the Gospel 5 minutes. Then, once a week we have a study circle, or a meeting, where we meet other people of Opus Dei. Once a month we have a 3 days retreat and once a year we have a get-together with other supernumeraries and numeraries for 6 days. There you really learn to know the spirit of Opus Dei better. ---------------------------- LEOPOLDO (30), heart surgeon Status in Opus Dei: supernumerary member I'm a medical doctor, specifically a heart surgeon. I am mainly doing surgery. In principle I'm performing one operation every day. Sometimes I also teach or do research, but usually I have one patient every day. If you're a Catholic, you must accept everything that is part of that religion. So being a part of this religion means a few things like accepting the authority of the Pope and of the Church's teachings. The Church's teachings are usually very clear. There is no Catholic fundamentalism: you are either a Catholic, or then you're not. A Catholic who is in favour of abortion is, for instance, no real Catholic, even if the person concerned confesses the Catholic faith. If I as a Catholic want to be a member of the Catholic church, then I must accept the teachings of the Church. You can't just keep the things you like and forget about the rest. There is no Catholic fundamentalism, and there is no fanatic defence of the faith; either you defend it, or then you don't. Talking about contraceptives, and human interference and all that stuff ... I don't say that if you can conceive children from you're 14 until you're 80, then you should have seventy kids. No, I say that you must act responsibly. I'm talking about responsible parenthood. You should have the children you can take care of. - And for the rest you should be abstinent ? No, no. There is a list of numerous natural methods, because the woman is a well-constructed machine. We know her physiology quite well, and it's possible to handle it in a way which is quite satisfactory to the consumer. ------------------------------------------------------ Voice of Finnish TV commentator introducing Isaac Viciosa of Spain, silver medallist on 1,500 m at European Athletics' Championships in Helsinki 1994, ------------------- ISAAC (27), athlete Status in Opus Dei: supernumerary And then there was Helsinki in 1994, which was a culmination [of my career]. Well, there was another Spaniard who won the race, but it was a big success that there were two Spanish runners coming in first. When 60,000 people cheer in a stadium, like they did in Helsinki, then you may be struck by pride and think "I'm the best ! Nobody beats me !" But my outlook on life is to give thanks to God instead. "This means very much to me, but still it's nothing", I thought. "I'm still the same old guy and this only helps me to pay tribute to God". So this is my way of life. - Is there anything in Opus Dei for people who are not so excellent ? Well, my coach is a simple man, who repairs domestic appliances. But he taught me what Opus Dei is all about. I know many people [in Opus Dei], who are unemployed, students who are not so brilliant, even though they work hard. But of course, we are the people who draw the attention. When I started training I was just an ordinary guy, and today I'm an athlete of the élite, and people notice me. But I was a member of the Opus Dei long before that. We, who are in the public, are just the top of the iceberg. In Spain there has been other persons in that same position -- ministers, finance people and so on. ------------------------------------------------------ REPORTER introduces characteristics of supernumeraries, including first Finnish supernumeraria girl arriving at Madrid airport. It is said that the supernumeraries are the ones who keep Opus Dei going. Leading Catholics with families, careers and money, in industry, financing and banks, take care of Opus Dei, so that it will never be poor. Many people travel to Spain to learn more about Opus Dei. One of them is Maarit from Helsinki. At home, Maarit has told her family that she will go to Spain to study Spanish. But she will also attend Opus Dei courses. Her family doesn't know that she is a member. --------------------------------------------------- MAARIT (21), former post office clerk from Helsinki Status in Opus Dei: supernumerary I got in touch with [Opus Dei] for the first time in Finland. At that time I wanted to go to Sweden, and I heard they were there, too. So, in Sweden I learned to know what Opus Dei is; about their spirituality, and about the Catholic church. At the Opus Dei centre they give me my spiritual life, they help me with it. I tell them how I have fulfilled my norms during the week, if I have been doing my prayers well, if I have done the Rosary well. If I haven't been able to do them well, we usually discuss some other solution. Then we discuss if there is something in my life I should struggle harder with. We also talk about whether I have learned to know any new people. It's not that we proselytize ... we just give people the chance to get to know Opus Dei. Then it's up to them, and God, whether they have a vocation or not. ----------------- "YOLI", ex-member Another obsession [in Opus Dei] is [recruiting] _people_. They give you a lot of training how to approach people and what to tell them. Everything is strictly planned. There are special training courses on how to recruit new people, how to treat them and what questions they may ask you. In the beginning, when I joined Opus Dei, everybody seemed to be very happy with their lives. But when I moved to the centre, I noticed that there were people who where tired and listless. A good friend of mine got ill, she had a depression and she had to take depressants and tranquilizers. Then I happened to have room-mates, who studied very hard, and many of them were not well either. They were very tired, they had to go to bed earlier than usual, and they got up later in the mornings. So I got sceptical myself, and soon I didn't fell well either, not even physically. -------------------------------------------------------- REPORTER introduces practices of mortification and self- -flagellation in Opus Dei In Opus Dei you are supposed to sacrifice yourself for others. You also sacrifice your own body like Jesus Christ did. There are members of Opus Dei who whip themselves once a week. Members also use this instrument of mortification, which is called the cilicio. ----------------- JAVIER, ex-member A cilicio is an instrument of mortification. It's a metal chain which looks like a dog collar. You put it around your thigh, and it has got spikes inside that cut into your flesh. You use the cilicio 2 or 3 hours every afternoon, during your studies. When you get seated, you are instructed to put your weight on the cilicio, and the spikes cut into your leg. And when it hurts you say to yourself "I offer this pain for Pepe, for Juan, for Antonio, so that they would join [Opus Dei]". I was really surprised once when I saw young people, 16 or 17 years old, queuing up in front of the toilet to get their cilicios, that where stored in a sort of sanitary case. I will never forget the sight of those young people queuing up for their cilicios like other people queue up for the going to a movie. In the end, I couldn't live without my cilicio. A friend of mine asked why I still stayed with Opus Dei, and I told him: "Look, I experience things there that must be of the Holy Spirit, because they can't be of this world." When I left Opus Dei, I was informed that the mortification produces a lot of adrenaline in your body. Adrenaline again has a composition very similar to mescaline, which is a hallucinogen. Then it also makes your body secrete serotonine, which is a substance very similar to LSD. ----------------- "YOLI", ex-member I know what I experienced with Opus Dei, and I also know how I feel now. But I don't know what is the final purpose of Opus Dei as an organisation. Even though I was a member, there are many thing I don't understand. ------------------------ ARANCHA, numerary member - Would you say you are a happy person ? Totalmente feliz. (I'm totally happy.) ------- CREDITS reporter Jan-Erik Andelin cameraman Anders Wik editing Jan-Olof Svarvar information search Pekka Toikka producer Chri Ahman PRODUCTION FST - Swedish Television of Finland Children, Youth and Education