The Catholic Conservative Connection

An idea of an Opus Dei connection is rather far-fetched, innit? And no, I am not referring to the Da Vinci Code as I am sure the Catholic Church would love. They have developed a great press release to deal with the Da Vinci Code and the Opus Dei issue. I am going to take Opus Dei at face value for what they are: a very conservative movement within the church.

Here are some interesting observations of the Sodalits and Opus Dei connection.

First off, Milagros Peña's work tells the reader that the Sodalits and Opus Dei worked together (along with Benedict - then Cardinal Ratzinger) in order to remove liberation theology during the 80's.

Cardinal Luis Cipriani, the Archbishop of Lima is also Opus Dei. He's also incredibly political, having recently said during a spiritual procession of the people (not of political agendas!) that those who are in favour of the morning after pill and call it safe are 'liars and murderers' seen here and here in the press. He has consecrated Bishops Kay Martin Schmalhausen and Jose Antonio Erguren Anselmi of the Sodality of Christian Life, the only two Bishops of the S.C.V movement that exist. Jose Antonio Eguren Anselmi used to be the Auxilary Bishop of Lima with Cipriani until he moved to Piura.

It's not surprising to see that Bishop Eguren Anselmi succeeded control of the Archdiocese of Piura from Cipriani and that previous to both Cipriani and Anselmi, it was controlled by an Orders of Friars Minors (O.F.M.) Bishop. Also, it's interesting to see that Cipriani has succeeded and been succeeded by members of O.F.M., an organization that has been instrumental to Figari's life (see CLM Canada) and also closely connected to Sodalits and Opus Dei in Denver.

Recently, in December, the Sodalits celebrated their Assembly and anniversary in Lima with Cipriani presiding over the final mass, in which he blessed their labour. Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) also blessed the organization and commended them for their great work.

Then there's the connection of the O.F.M. Archbishop Chaput of Denver, who has welcomed in conservative groups Opus Dei and the Sodality Family into his community. His appointed auxilary Bishop was Opus Dei, until that Bishop was promoted to San Antonio, Texas.


Lastly, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission authors were outspoken about oppressive issues in the Church, it was Opus Dei and the Sodalits who got together to protest them.


Please ask yourself: why do people in these conservative organizations tend to find each other and work together? Please keep in mind that these are only a few examples of their relationships together that are accessible online. They aren't to show any sort of scandalous behaviour, but are merely here to demonstrate that there have been documented links between each other that are significant. The fact that these links span about 30 years should also be taken into consideration that these relationships have been consistent, from the creation of the Sodalits to the present.

If the Sodalits aren't "so conservative", why are they so close to the Opus Dei and to other conservatives? It's absolutely ridiculous to deny that the Sodalits are not a very conservative wing of the church and it is highly questionable from a their vested interest standpoint to actually pursue social justice activities - those which acknowledge injustices and work to ensure that they know longer continue - considering their strong conservative connections within the church and the Vatican.

These interests haven't taken responsibility for the repression they have caused; in fact, as seen in the speeches and words of Figari and Rafael Aguedas (both experienced on both SEA trips to Peru), they praise some of the church's unjust activities. By never recognizing the root of the social problem and developing "social justice" programs based on ideas that fail to recognize these deep issues means that they can offer is charity to the people in the form of infrastructure, social services and education. They can't offer them the same opportunities as them, nor the same privileges that they have. Since the Sodalits have stamped their names in the communities they give to means that the people are dependent on their resources to survive. The people aren't given the ability to make their own decisions and take care of themselves, at least not without the hands of Sodalits or people that are brought into the community. Otherwise they don't "need" any of them.