Beyond the Threshold: A Life in Opus Dei

Bravo to Maria del Carmen Tapia for being a trailblazer for all those who have been hurt by Opus Dei. By speaking out, she has started the process of demystifying the cult-like and secretive organization in the Catholic Church. Chapter 7, "Rome II -- Return to the Unknown" is a gripping tale of her imprisonment in Rome by the founder of Opus Dei. Her crime? She used her critical thinking skills as an Opus Dei director in Venezuela. A must-read for anyone who wants to learn to what extent Opus Dei controls the lives of their numerary members.

The book is for many people an eyeopener for other it is a scandal. However no matter who is reading it, certain traits and problems in Opus Dei must be admitted- both by the devotes and the opposition. I have no personal experiences brought out from that organisation. I have never been a subject for recruitment by Opus Dei. My knowledge is from what I read about them, from other people associated in different degrees with Opus Dei and from my own observation. Quite much of what is described in this book coincides with my own humble experience of this organisation.The personal experiences described by the former Opus Dei member- Maria del Carmen-Tapia- are shaking and frightening. When reading through the pages I consulted a manual on sects, considering the overall methods used in OD. I think, provided that del Carmen-Tapia's descriptions are accurate, one can define OD as a certain kind of sect with brain-washing, degradation of personality, very excessive cult of the guru (read Msgr. Escriva) and diminishing of personal freedom among certain class of members- the numeraries. Everything that of course is done under disguise or sacrifice for the sake of the organisation, the higher truths and goals it claims to fulfill. This organisation seem also to be very secret with well defined security levels. Someone referred to Opus Dei as catholic freemasonry. I do not think this kind of comparision is qualifying. Nevertheless information from upper levels is portioned out down according to certain criteria. Secrecy is also kept laterally. Everything that is fine, every organisation must have certain levels of integrity and "business" secrets. The problem seem to be that these secrets are mostly futile things, not worth keeping a secretive attitude toward. These things are most probably used in the process of brainwashing. The other aspect mentioned in the book is a certain lack of frankness, a kind of artificial, laboured attitude toward the non members. This kind of attitude produces unnatural and weird situations. For example young people whom OD recruits are expected to be more honest to Opus Dei than to their parents becuase of Opus Dei alleged superiority in the realm of the spiritual. When being invited on an Opus Dei dinner in their headquarter non-OD people are not explicitly told about if or how much to pay for the dinner. It is insinuated with a certain kind of "discretion" yet another way used in Opus Dei. The visitor is in a way put in an unclear situation. This allusive, enigmatic way of talking is very characteristic and can be often a source to bisarre misunderstandings.Another point mentioned in the book is the gender perespective on Opus Dei. The organisation treats men and women unequally. The position of a woman is, in spite of her right in the organisation to have modern professions, inferior to that of Opus Dei men. Opus Dei women have serving functions. Their freedom is clearly diminished compared to men. The overall organisation a

I was a numerary of the Opus Dei in Spain for two years 1977-1978. I was recruited at the age of 19 while attending the University of Barcelona Spanish Studies course for foreigners. My parents who lived in the United States had to threaten with legal action before the Opus Dei allowed me to see them. The book brought back floods of memories. All the aspects of life within the Opus Dei that I had shared in common with Carmen, she had described absolutely accurately. I was alone in a foreign land and they took advantage of my vulnerability to take over my life. Luckily I my parents managed to get me out by hijacking me in London. Carmen has done the world a great service by exposing this terrible organization. I am still a daily Mass going Catholic, and now a medical school student. I was so glad to read that she had not lost her faith over her terrible ordeal. It's never too late to start over!

The book is as fascinating, as the Opus Dei is controversial. Definitely Opus Dei is not for every one and certainly it was not for Ms. Tapia. Many things in her book are true but her emotions reduce her credibility. Being a devout catholic I consider Opus Dei as one of the most conservative orders in the Catholic Church today, and a stronhold of our faith. Nevertheless their methods are sometimes questionable. I was active in the Opus Dei and I admire their principles but three points made me realize Opus Dei was not for me: 1.- Their fanatical devotion to their founder Mgr. Escriba. It is not a devotion but an obligation to worship him 2.- Their obsesive secrecy. It really seems that they want to to hide something wrong. If you are sure about your principles there is no need to hide them. 3.- Next to their secrecy, their recrutments methods (also secret)among young people. I support Ms. Tapia, Opus Dei is not perfect but neither is her. I should also say that Opus Dei is changing and becoming becoming more open.

Carmen Tapia writes with charity, not in anger; for this reason her horrific account of life inside this sect is the most convincing I have read. Her story ties in with my own experience, and the experience of friends of mine who've had the misfortune to join Opus Dei. Her book can prevent many tragedies if it is read in time.