Pope Blesses Statue of Opus Dei Founder

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBSLIJPLDE.html

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday blessed a statue of the founder of the conservative Catholic organization Opus Dei, saying he hoped it will serve as inspiration for those who passed by to "do one's daily work in the spirit of Christ."

The 20-foot-tall white Carrara marble statue, placed in a niche of the outside wall of St. Peter's Basilica, depicts Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer with his hands open in a welcoming gesture and two cherubs at his feet holding a sculpted Bible. Balaguer founded Opus Dei in Spain in 1928.

"May all those who stop to contemplate the statue be encouraged to live their daily work in the spirit of Christ and in ardent love for the work of redemption," said Benedict, who stopped to bless the statue at the end of his general audience before returning to Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence in the Alban hills outside Rome. snip

Its mission - to give lay people a dynamic role in spreading the word of God - was backed by the late Pope John Paul II, who championed the movement as a means of confronting the secularization of society and reinforcing his conservative doctrine. But Opus Dei - Latin for "God's work" - is also accused of secretive, cult-like practices.

[grumpy old fart]

1. A statue already? My goodness, this fascist certainly has risen quickly..

from cult leader to saint to icon all in the space of like 70 years....impressive. Funny what power and wealth will do....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opus_Dei

[Javaman]

2. "Excuse me, mr pope fascist? where is MY whip?"

dark days are upon us, expect a new Inquisition any day now.

[Az]

3. Fighting the secularization of society

This is what makes it troubling. Opus Dei (and many other religious groups) exists primarily to destroy free societies such as ours. Of course they do not see it in such terms. They see it as spreading the truth of their beliefs. But this is exactly where the trouble comes from.

A free society embraces all beliefs. Ideally each believer is tolerant of the other beliefs. This necissarily creates a secular society. And it is this which groups such as Opus Dei seek to topple.

From their point of view it is of course and admirable goal. The spreading of truth and goodness. But what happens when they meet a Scientologist with the same sense of conviction. Or perhaps a Muslim that believes their particular truth must be spread. Each can only percieve the other as deluded if not outright evil. There is no ability to negotiate from such a stance and is destructive to society. It is the philosophical equivelant of holding one's breath and about as productive.

[CatholicEdHead]

4. Of course the Vatician hierarchy takes a black/white approach

in that it has to be completly "Catholic" or it is views as completly "secular". There is no middle ground, no room for mixing of beliefs.

Many Americans and Europeans who would be considered "secular" would probably agree on many Church stances. Mostly the care for the poor and less fortunate (which sadly is only one part of the bi-polar Church followers).