O Pope Francis decided to reform the influential Catholic organization Opus Dei, known in Europe and Latin America for conservative positions. Titled Ad charisma tuendum, the papal document strips the organization of its power and independence within the church, according to religious affairs experts interviewed by agency AFP.
“Some have interpreted the provisions of the Holy See in terms of ‘demotion’ or ‘loss of power’,” Sánchez of Opus Dei’s press office said in a statement to AFP. The Argentine pope who, since taking office in 2013, has been campaigning for reform of the Roman Curia, the central leadership of the Vatican, which has eroded after a series of scandals.
THE Opus Dei had been raised by the in 1982 Pope John Paul II, now a saint, in the category of personal prelature, the only one of his kind with that privilege. This privilege guaranteed the equivalent of a diocese to the organization, which is present in more than 60 countries, including Brazil. The organization has about 90,000 lay members, including businessmen and other influential figures, and 2,000 priests. It was founded in 1928 by Father Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, who died in 1975 at the age of 73 and was canonized by John Paul II in 2002.
Francis Determines that Opus will report annually to the Dicastery for the Clergy on its internal work and the development of its apostolic work. According to some interpretations of the new text, which came into force this Thursday 4th, the head of Opus Dei is no longer equal to a bishop and cannot wear episcopal clothes. / AFP