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| Size | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 6.3 in | | Thickness: | 1.0 in | | Weight: | 16.8 oz |
Industry Reviews
Well-known Italian Catholic journalist Messori, who collaborated with John Paul II on Crossing the Threshold of Hope (Knopf, 1994), here examines Opus Dei ("Work of God") as an outsider. Founded in 1928 by Jos? Maria Escriva, a Spanish priest beatified amid controversy in 1992, Opus Dei was officially recognized by the church first as a secular institute in 1947 and in 1982 as the only "Personal Prelature" (similar to a nonterritorial diocese). Strictly faithful to the tradition and teaching of the church, it operates in 90 countries with nearly 80,000 members, of whom 1600 are priests. It has been criticized as a powerful cult within the church, notably by Michael Walsh in Opus Dei (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992). Yet in this short book, whose conversational style emphasizes Opus Dei's spiritual aspects, Messori answers critics throughout and finds nothing sinister. An examination from within Opus Dei is Pedro Rodriguez's Opus Dei in the Church (Scepter, 1994), and more information may be found on Opus Dei's web site <http://www.opusdei.org>. Recommended for Catholic collections as a marginal purchase. Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Moore
Messori, who collaborated with Pope John Paul II on Crossing the Threshold of Hope, is a sympathetic mouthpiece for one of the most controversial organizations in post-Vatican II Catholicism. Opus Dei is a lay organization within the Catholic church. According to Opus Dei's own statements, its members "carry out their apostolic work through the practice of their ordinary professional work." Messori simply interviews representatives of Opus Dei and records their descriptions of the organization. William A. Schmitt, Opus Dei's director of communications, even contributes an introduction to the book. While Opus Dei has been criticized by former members (e.g., Maria del Carmen Tapia in Beyond the Threshold, Continuum) for its secretiveness, its moral authoritarianism and its emphasis on the laity's ability to interpret church doctrine and scripture for themselves, Messori does not take into account such criticisms. By letting the organization speak for itself, Messori has produced a rather lifeless, unremarkable and uninsightful account of a controversial religious organization. (Nov.)
Lopate
[The author] spends the first 40 pages fending off accusations that Opus Dei is a wealthy cabal or brainwashing cult. It is instead a worldwide institution primarily of laypeople (its full-time priests constitute 2 percent of membership). It aims to help 'all baptized persons' live out 'normal Catholicism' in their everyday lives; members live at home yet follow 'an intense sacramental life' of prayer, attendance at mass, religious reading, confession, spiritual retreat, etc., while pursuing secular careers and commitments. Messori quotes the writings of Opus Dei's founder, Monsignor JosGemarG+a EscrivGa (1902-75) of Spain, and other members extensively, so his presentation reflects the official line, so to speak. That line radiates both egalitarianism in its insistence on the openness of religious life to all believers and deep conservatism in its staunch fealty to the pope.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Olson
Well-known Italian Catholic journalist Messori, who collaborated with John Paul II on Crossing the Threshold of Hope (Knopf, 1994), here examines Opus Dei ("Work of God") as an outsider. Founded in 1928 by Jos‚ Maria Escriva, a Spanish priest beatified amid controversy in 1992, Opus Dei was officially recognized by the church first as a secular institute in 1947 and in 1982 as the only "Personal Prelature" (similar to a nonterritorial diocese). Strictly faithful to the tradition and teaching of the church, it operates in 90 countries with nearly 80,000 members, of whom 1600 are priests. It has been criticized as a powerful cult within the church, notably by Michael Walsh in Opus Dei (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992). Yet in this short book, whose conversational style emphasizes Opus Dei's spiritual aspects, Messori answers critics throughout and finds nothing sinister. An examination from within Opus Dei is Pedro Rodriguez's Opus Dei in the Church (Scepter, 1994), and more information may be found on Opus Dei's web site <http://www.opusdei.org>. Recommended for Catholic collections as a marginal purchase. Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Library Journal (12/02/1997)
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