Thread by @gareth_gore

This guy 👇 orchestrated a conservative takeover of the US Supreme Court. He was a critical figure in the overturning of Roe vs Wade.

He's also deeply involved with Opus Dei.

Why should that matter? A THREAD

rollingstone.com/politics/polit…

First of all, Opus Dei isn't what it seems.

The organisation tells the world that it exists solely to help ordinary Catholics to better live out their faith.

But that isn't the full story. For years, it's hidden its true purpose from its membership - and the Vatican.

According to secret documents published for the first time in my upcoming book OPUS, its founder Josemaría Escrivá developed Opus Dei as reactionary stand against the progressive forces that were transforming the lives of the poor and downtrodden in Spain during the 1930s.

Escrivá saw his followers as part of “a rising militia” of “apostles carrying out the orders of Christ” who would penetrate every part of society - government, the judiciary, the media, education - and work from the inside to "defeat the enemies of Christ".

Seem familiar?

By far the most shocking revelation for me has been just how ruthless Opus Dei is willing to be in pursuing its warped agenda - even when its actions clearly run contrary to the virtues of charity and kindness that are supposed to underpin the Christian faith.

On Friday, federal prosecutors in Argentina formally accused Opus Dei of trafficking teenage girls and young women. In my book, many former members testify to the abuse and manipulation they suffered inside the organisation.

eldiario.es/sociedad/justi…

For years, Opus Dei has poured resources into penetrating Washington to gain the power and the influence it needs.

It has transformed the DC area into the largest Opus Dei community in the US - made up of 800 members and countless sympathizers.

nymag.com/intelligencer/…

As well as Leo, its network includes powerful conservative figures such as Bill Barr, Pat Cipollone, Mick Mulvaney, Rick Santorum, Sam Brownback

...and Kevin Roberts, the architect of Project 2025, who gets spiritual direction from Opus Dei priests.

theguardian.com/us-news/articl…

Roberts hailed the Opus Dei founder in a speech he gave at the Catholic Information Centre, its DC hub, last year.

He talked about the need for “radical incrementalism” – of a gradual revolution to reshape society according to his Christian beliefs.

youtube.com/live/aqgfhZpRZ…

“Saint Josemaría tells us … Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt … Set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ,” he said.

Project 2025 certainly aims to "set aflame all the ways of the earth" – especially when it comes to education, reproductive rights and same-sex marriage.

Guess who's funding Project 2025?

You guessed it - his friend Leonard Leo, who sits on the board at Opus Dei's Catholic Information Center.

stopthecoup2025.org/follow-the-dar…

Both Roberts and Leo know there is no public appetite for a society based on the distorted Opus Dei brand of Catholicism that they adhere to.

Roberts even admitted as much in his speech last year. “There simply isn't the public support – lamentably – right now.”

But both men have been weaned on this anything goes philosophy to take on “the enemies of Christ”.

Leo has talked about using money - rather than persuasion - to "crush liberal dominance at the choke points of influence and power".

axios.com/2024/09/12/leo…

What Project 2025 gives them is a shot as reconfiguring society according to their vision – without the need for any democratic mandate. They plan to purge government of thousands of officials and replace them with likeminded radicals willing to push through their agenda.

Read more in my book.

It comes out Tuesday.

simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gar…