Sorry…Not Sorry
Opus Dei accused of insulting and revictimizing abuse survivors after launch of a controversial new “healing and listening” initiative
🧵 A THREAD
Opus Dei accused of insulting and revictimizing abuse survivors after launch of a controversial new “healing and listening” initiative
🧵 A THREAD
It has launched the new office in Spain, its biggest country, to handle complaints brought by former members against the group
Opus Dei says its aim is to facilitate the “process of healing” and to “give assistance”
omnesmag.com/en/news/opus-d…
Opus Dei says its aim is to facilitate the “process of healing” and to “give assistance”
omnesmag.com/en/news/opus-d…
But the initiative has been dismissed as a “cosmetic gesture” and PR exercise designed to reset the narrative after more than a year of serious accusations
Former members have been scathing about its launch
reddit.com/r/opusdeiexpos…
Former members have been scathing about its launch
reddit.com/r/opusdeiexpos…
In a sign perhaps of the sheer volume of claims it is expecting, Opus Dei has allocated 70 people to man the new office
That’s 70 people to handle complaints in Spain alone!
opusdei.org/es-es/article/…
That’s 70 people to handle complaints in Spain alone!
opusdei.org/es-es/article/…
The people will be drawn from Opus Dei ranks – meaning complaints will be handled internally, rather than by independents
The office will be run by a numerary and director of a website close to Opus Dei that has dismissed victims’ accounts as “absurd”
aceprensa.com/resenas-cine-s…
The office will be run by a numerary and director of a website close to Opus Dei that has dismissed victims’ accounts as “absurd”
aceprensa.com/resenas-cine-s…
It's an extraordinary move: Opus Dei is asking victims to confide in the very same organisation that abused them
It has previously disparaged many of their experiences – and dismissed my book as “absolutely false” before it had even read a word!
infolibre.es/tintalibre/ame…
It has previously disparaged many of their experiences – and dismissed my book as “absolutely false” before it had even read a word!
infolibre.es/tintalibre/ame…
This latest initiative is clearly an attempt for Opus Dei to look like it is doing *something* about abuse
But it launched a similar “commission for listening” in Argentina which went nowhere – almost all the complaints there are still unresolved
buenosairesherald.com/society/opus-d…
But it launched a similar “commission for listening” in Argentina which went nowhere – almost all the complaints there are still unresolved
buenosairesherald.com/society/opus-d…
Let’s be clear: what happened in Argentina wasn't a one-off
Opus Dei operated a whole network of schools all across the world that were geared towards recruiting young girls from poor communities
Including in Europe....
on.ft.com/3Po8Oza
Opus Dei operated a whole network of schools all across the world that were geared towards recruiting young girls from poor communities
Including in Europe....
on.ft.com/3Po8Oza
Just before he died, Pope Francis was informed about how Opus Dei’s exploitation of teenage girls extended into Mexico as well
I know there are other schools across Latin America - and in places like Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines and Spain
animalpolitico.com/sociedad/opus-…
I know there are other schools across Latin America - and in places like Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines and Spain
animalpolitico.com/sociedad/opus-…
Opus Dei is the subject of a criminal investigation in Argentina, where it is accused of trafficking and enslaving girls as young as twelve
Earlier this month, its number two was named by prosecutors in the case as someone they wish to question
ncronline.org/news/argentini…
Earlier this month, its number two was named by prosecutors in the case as someone they wish to question
ncronline.org/news/argentini…
The news creates a huge headache for Pope Leo, who recently met with the number two to discuss reform of Opus Dei
This latest twist means the pope is now effectively discussing a clean-up with one of the men who is implicated in the alleged abuse
ncronline.org/opinion/pope-l…
This latest twist means the pope is now effectively discussing a clean-up with one of the men who is implicated in the alleged abuse
ncronline.org/opinion/pope-l…
The Vatican is currently reviewing a complaint lodged by former members from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina, Italy, Spain and the UK
They allege wide-spread abuse, the cover-up of criminal acts – including child abuse – and fraud
ncronline.org/opinion/guest-…
They allege wide-spread abuse, the cover-up of criminal acts – including child abuse – and fraud
ncronline.org/opinion/guest-…
“Far from being an honest gesture of reparation, this initiative just replicates the pattern of control and denial,” said Agustina López de los Mozos
She who spent eight years as a numerary in the 1970s, and has since then become an organiser victims
opuslibros.org/inicio.htm
She who spent eight years as a numerary in the 1970s, and has since then become an organiser victims
opuslibros.org/inicio.htm
“It’s an attempt to force the press and the public to perceive Opus Dei as a sensitive and modern organization…
It avoids addressing any of the essential issues: recognizing structural damage, transforming its culture, and responding with real justice”
opuslibros.org/nuevaweb/modul…
It avoids addressing any of the essential issues: recognizing structural damage, transforming its culture, and responding with real justice”
opuslibros.org/nuevaweb/modul…
“They speak of ‘errors’ and ‘shortcomings’, but not of structural damage or systematic abuse,” said López de los Mozos.
“The narrative reinforces the idea of isolated failures rather than a well-organized machinery of manipulation and subjugation.”
opusdei.org/es-es/article/…
“The narrative reinforces the idea of isolated failures rather than a well-organized machinery of manipulation and subjugation.”
opusdei.org/es-es/article/…
Victims have called on Opus Dei to
- accept that the abuse was a result of structural failures, not just individual failings
- to agree to an external investigation, with financial reparations, psychological support, and legal support for victims
-to promote “real” structural reforms, with verifiable compliance and independent oversight
-and to break the “cycle of impunity” with tangible, public measures
- accept that the abuse was a result of structural failures, not just individual failings
- to agree to an external investigation, with financial reparations, psychological support, and legal support for victims
-to promote “real” structural reforms, with verifiable compliance and independent oversight
-and to break the “cycle of impunity” with tangible, public measures
You can read more about this abusive cult in my book
“A well-told, gripping story” – WASHINGTON POST
“Vividly told and excellently researched” – FINANCIAL TIMES
“A genuine exposé, a fluid, authoritative account” – TLS
a.co/d/94KADzd
“A well-told, gripping story” – WASHINGTON POST
“Vividly told and excellently researched” – FINANCIAL TIMES
“A genuine exposé, a fluid, authoritative account” – TLS
a.co/d/94KADzd
You can also stay up to date by following my
S U B S T A C K
Follow the link in my bio
S U B S T A C K
Follow the link in my bio
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
