Pope Francis reforms influential group Opus Dei

[peppertree]

A shake-up of conservative Catholic organisation Opus Dei came into effect Thursday, under a decree ordered by Pope Francis that experts say reduces its power and independence.

The organisation, which is present notably in Europe and Latin America and whose title means “God’s Work”, was given unique status in the Catholic Church in 1984 under Pope John Paul II.

Since then, Opus Dei has become a kind of super-diocese operating across borders and answerable only to the pope — drawing accusations of secretive behind-the-scenes power games that it has always denied.

The reforms, announced by Pope Francis in a Motu Proprio edict last month, are part of wider changes to modernise and introduce greater transparency within the government of the Catholic Church.

At: https://www.macaubusiness.com/pope-francis-reforms-influential-group-opus-dei/

Pope Francis greets the new Opus Dei Prelate Fernando Ocáriz in 2017.

From now on, the Opus Dei leader — the prelate — will no longer be appointed a bishop, and the organisation becomes dependent on the Dicastery (or ministry) of the Clergy.

Known as one of the Catholic Church's most conservative - and powerful - groups, Opus Dei was closely tied to the Franco dictatorship in Spain (its home country) as well as numerous dictatorships in Latin America.