Opus Dei De-Ranked?

[bobabode]

'Pope Francis reforms influential group Opus Dei'

"A shake-up of conservative Catholic organisation Opus Dei came into effect Thursday, under a decree ordered by Pope Francis that experts say reduces its power and independence.

The evangelising organisation, which is present notably in Europe and Latin America and whose title means “God’s Work”, was given unique status in the Catholic Church under pope John Paul II.

Since then, Opus Dei has become a kind of super-diocese operating across borders and answerable to the pope — drawing accusations of secretive behind-the-scenes power games that it has always denied.

The reforms, announced by Pope Francis in a Motu Proprio edict last month, are part of wider changes to modernise and introduce greater transparency within the government of the Catholic Church.

From now on, the Opus Dei leader — the prelate — will no longer be appointed a bishop, and the organisation becomes dependent on the Dicastery (or ministry) of the Clergy.

Every year, instead of every five years previously, the prelate must submit to that body a report about its work.

“A form of governance based on charism more than on hierarchical authority is needed,” the pope wrote in his decree.

Forty years after John Paul II’s recognition in 1982, “Francis seeks to end an excessively hierarchical structure”, noted Jesus Bastante, of spe************************t publication Religion Digital.

In an open letter, Opus Dei Prelate Fernando Ocariz said he accepted the changes and urged members to follow the pope’s appeal “to spread the call to holiness in the world”.

Opus Dei spokesman Manuel Sanchez told AFP: “Some have interpreted the Holy See’s provisions in terms of downgrading, or loss of power.

“We are not interested in this kind of reasoning, because for a Catholic there is no point in using categories of power or worldly categories.”" AFP

https://www.macaubusiness.com/pope-f...roup-opus-dei/

No more self scourging? (grin)