Opus Dei is an arch conservative Catholic group whose perhaps most publicly known member is JD Vance. However, this is a group that is by invitation only and they target the elites: politicians, judges, business people, journalists, and academics.
Author Gareth Gore deeply researched the group for his book. He said that he went into the meeting with Pope Leo hoping to warn him about the group’s belief that their founder was directly instructed by God and the likelihood that it would be difficult to stop the group based on this belief. Although Pope Francis had issued a decree in 2022 prior to his death it is Pope Leo, who is most likely to do a full investigation.
Which perhaps explains why JD Vance and Mike Johnson jumped on Trump’s reply to criticism from Pope Leo.
“ Gore’s book traces how from the 1950s onwards, Banco Popular’s wealth went into creating a vast recruitment network targeting children and vulnerable teenagers, building palatial Opus Dei centres across the world, and eventually forming one of the most formidable clandestine political influences in the US.
Its US members would become crucial in eroding reproductive rights, funding the Washington march that led to January 6, and heavily influencing Project 2025, according to Gore’s reporting.”
My sister was targeted by opus dei in New York in the 1980s when she was about 13. My parents sent us to “catholic girl scouts”, which was a covert opus dei operation.
They targeted my sister and took her on trips etc. my sister finally got creeped out when they wanted her to come for a “sleepover” at their chapter house in New Rochelle. My sister stopped returning their calls. ( the opus dei operative targeting my sister was named Mary Nonamaker. She worked at the UN and took us there on a tour).
I think my parents got involved to make Nonamaker stop calling my sister. It was completely bizarre. My parents had no idea what they were getting us into with the “catholic girl scouts” thing.
Is he equating Leonard Leo and the federalist society with OD? I know Leonard Leo is in Opus Dei but the work on Roe was all done through the federalist society. The membership seems to be a two hander
“… How much do you think Pope Leo already knows about the organization?
Who knows how much information actually gets to him. Opus Dei is renowned for having penetrated the Vatican. It’s highly likely there are people there who are limiting what information gets to the pope – perhaps for malicious reasons, but also, as with any other kind of big company or big institution, sometimes it’s better that the boss doesn’t know everything so that there can be some kind of deniability.
I think [the pope] quite clearly wanted to send a signal to Opus Dei that he’s taking these allegations seriously - referring to Pope Leo’s decision to make the meeting with Gore public.”
That would probably make Stone what is known as a cooperator. Others include former F.B.I. Head, Louis Freeh and AG William Barr.
Less well known perhaps is Brooklyn Bishop Nicolas DiMarzio who was accused of child rape.
https://apnews.com/413b21a5bb2efa5a593826807a78584f?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter
JD Vance is not the Catholic group Opus Dei. Vance did not convert toOpus Dei. No one does. He converted to Roman Catholicism under the guidance of a members of a Dominican order who happened to have strong Opus Dei ties and leanings.
I know because it was reported by MSM prior to the election in 2024.
From my reading throughout the evening, Opus Dei refers to both members and cooperators. (Cooperators aren’t Catholic, but agree to further the conservative aims of worldwide domination by Opus Dei. ) It seems to come down to interpretation of the various sources I cross referenced.
What I can tell you, is that in addition to being powerful and extremely wealthy Opus Dei is a very opaque organization.
I listed referenced articles elsewhere in the thread for a user who was unfamiliar with the organization because apparently he had never read about them - although their beliefs and scandals are most certainly not a secret nor is Vance’s affiliation regardless of how various people refer to it.
Opus Dei creeps me out. Many years ago, I lived with my aunt and her family for a summer outside of DC. I thought my upbringing was very conservative old school Catholic, but my Aunt and her family had joined the Opus Dei group. Her teenage daughter would tell me stories about it, and I can’t remember any crazy outlandish stories or anything- but it felt very very cult like and extraordinarily misogynistic. And I grew up quasi rural in a small town in the Deep South. So, it’s not like I was comparing it to Catholics in NYC or something.
It’s very telling, to me, that the conspiracy crowd is completely silent on groups like this and the Federalist society, two groups actually conspiring to do things. These people are actually doing what conspiracy theorists say they are concerned about, but there is very little actual public awareness or discussion of these groups sadly.
Not at all. The gemstones, aside from being crass and nakedly materialistic (we could argue on this point, but that has nothing to do with how Opus Die operates), are a very American brand of evangelicalism. Opus Die is strictly Catholic. There are no pastors.
Opus Dei is the low-rent version of the Knights of Columbanus who are the real masters of the conservative Catholic universe. Their job is to keep God in line.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 11 hours ago
Opus Dei is an arch conservative Catholic group whose perhaps most publicly known member is JD Vance. However, this is a group that is by invitation only and they target the elites: politicians, judges, business people, journalists, and academics.
Author Gareth Gore deeply researched the group for his book. He said that he went into the meeting with Pope Leo hoping to warn him about the group’s belief that their founder was directly instructed by God and the likelihood that it would be difficult to stop the group based on this belief. Although Pope Francis had issued a decree in 2022 prior to his death it is Pope Leo, who is most likely to do a full investigation.
Which perhaps explains why JD Vance and Mike Johnson jumped on Trump’s reply to criticism from Pope Leo.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 11 hours ago
“ Gore’s book traces how from the 1950s onwards, Banco Popular’s wealth went into creating a vast recruitment network targeting children and vulnerable teenagers, building palatial Opus Dei centres across the world, and eventually forming one of the most formidable clandestine political influences in the US.
Its US members would become crucial in eroding reproductive rights, funding the Washington march that led to January 6, and heavily influencing Project 2025, according to Gore’s reporting.”
AlternativeWalrus831 | 11 hours ago
My sister was targeted by opus dei in New York in the 1980s when she was about 13. My parents sent us to “catholic girl scouts”, which was a covert opus dei operation.
They targeted my sister and took her on trips etc. my sister finally got creeped out when they wanted her to come for a “sleepover” at their chapter house in New Rochelle. My sister stopped returning their calls. ( the opus dei operative targeting my sister was named Mary Nonamaker. She worked at the UN and took us there on a tour).
I think my parents got involved to make Nonamaker stop calling my sister. It was completely bizarre. My parents had no idea what they were getting us into with the “catholic girl scouts” thing.
flakemasterflake | 10 hours ago
Is he equating Leonard Leo and the federalist society with OD? I know Leonard Leo is in Opus Dei but the work on Roe was all done through the federalist society. The membership seems to be a two hander
[OP] horseradishstalker | 10 hours ago
“… How much do you think Pope Leo already knows about the organization?
Who knows how much information actually gets to him. Opus Dei is renowned for having penetrated the Vatican. It’s highly likely there are people there who are limiting what information gets to the pope – perhaps for malicious reasons, but also, as with any other kind of big company or big institution, sometimes it’s better that the boss doesn’t know everything so that there can be some kind of deniability.
I think [the pope] quite clearly wanted to send a signal to Opus Dei that he’s taking these allegations seriously - referring to Pope Leo’s decision to make the meeting with Gore public.”
pashalka31 | 10 hours ago
Add Mike flynn to that list too.
And Roger stone
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://parnassusbooks.net/book/9781639738427&ved=2ahUKEwj83LHEl_GTAxVfJUQIHeogCB8QFnoECFkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0b0K-r6edkKomnhXTC9GBx
Stone is by no means a true believer. He just uses the network to cover Trump's crimes.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 9 hours ago
That would probably make Stone what is known as a cooperator. Others include former F.B.I. Head, Louis Freeh and AG William Barr.
Less well known perhaps is Brooklyn Bishop Nicolas DiMarzio who was accused of child rape. https://apnews.com/413b21a5bb2efa5a593826807a78584f?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter
pashalka31 | 9 hours ago
Oh man. That opens a whole new layer in the Charles Mcgonigal/Louis freeh corruption line.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles%3FDataId%3D1488761&ved=2ahUKEwiY9Yb-oPGTAxVkKUQIHex6MDgQFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ClpDbUdtXwdZ9scbOiZAQ
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.facebook.com/financialtimes/posts/charles-mcgonigal-previously-served-as-special-agent-in-charge-of-counter-intell/10160563825070750/&ved=2ahUKEwiL-LezofGTAxXAJUQIHXw9OH8QFnoECEoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0P5KKfUlSQXR35S1Uvr0Te
Mcgonigal and Freeh attended the same Catholic mass.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/03/03/fbi-spy-case-arrest-blows-parishs-cover/9f18f370-b067-4cc0-a61e-be29a64581da/&ved=2ahUKEwjtu6L3ofGTAxVSJkQIHYyCFycQFnoECC4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Acucr83NZdNd2Dv5_pr7Z
And I believe Robert Hanssen as well.
But that brings a lot of clarity to why Trump is picking fights with the pope.
Mental-Ask8077 | 6 hours ago
Robert Hanssen of espionage fame?
Suitable-Lake-2550 | 9 hours ago
Wow scary
whawkins4 | 11 hours ago
Holdup. JD Vance is Opus Dei? You got a source for that? Because that’s big fucking news.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 10 hours ago
JD Vance is not the Catholic group Opus Dei. Vance did not convert toOpus Dei. No one does. He converted to Roman Catholicism under the guidance of a members of a Dominican order who happened to have strong Opus Dei ties and leanings.
I know because it was reported by MSM prior to the election in 2024.
https://www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/the-dominican-friars-who-guided-jd
https://thedeepdiveprojectofficial.substack.com/p/jd-vance-and-opus-dei-an-examination
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/opus-dei-members-catholic-washington-dc-politicans-jd-vance.html
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-09-07/the-controversial-catholic-postliberal-thinkers-who-helped-shape-jd-vances-views
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/j-d-vances-radical-religion
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/07/16/five-faith-facts-jd-vance-trump-vp-248368/
Edit: clarity
McGuirk808 | 9 hours ago
> Opus Dei is an arch conservative Catholic group whose perhaps most publicly known member is JD Vance.
Consider editing your original comment as that reads like JD Vance is the most publicly known member of Opus Dei.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 9 hours ago
From my reading throughout the evening, Opus Dei refers to both members and cooperators. (Cooperators aren’t Catholic, but agree to further the conservative aims of worldwide domination by Opus Dei. ) It seems to come down to interpretation of the various sources I cross referenced.
What I can tell you, is that in addition to being powerful and extremely wealthy Opus Dei is a very opaque organization.
I listed referenced articles elsewhere in the thread for a user who was unfamiliar with the organization because apparently he had never read about them - although their beliefs and scandals are most certainly not a secret nor is Vance’s affiliation regardless of how various people refer to it.
marxianeke | an hour ago
i think the issue is with the "most publicly known" part, i also didn't know but also i'm not american.
tach | an hour ago
I lived in a student's Opus Dei house for two years. In their words, it's not opaque - it's private.
Cephalopodium | 10 hours ago
Opus Dei creeps me out. Many years ago, I lived with my aunt and her family for a summer outside of DC. I thought my upbringing was very conservative old school Catholic, but my Aunt and her family had joined the Opus Dei group. Her teenage daughter would tell me stories about it, and I can’t remember any crazy outlandish stories or anything- but it felt very very cult like and extraordinarily misogynistic. And I grew up quasi rural in a small town in the Deep South. So, it’s not like I was comparing it to Catholics in NYC or something.
notapoliticalalt | 4 hours ago
It’s very telling, to me, that the conspiracy crowd is completely silent on groups like this and the Federalist society, two groups actually conspiring to do things. These people are actually doing what conspiracy theorists say they are concerned about, but there is very little actual public awareness or discussion of these groups sadly.
twoworldsin1 | 11 hours ago
Sounds like they're the inspiration behind that weird gun and sword Christian pastor group from the Righteous Gemstones
redlightsaber | 4 hours ago
Not at all. The gemstones, aside from being crass and nakedly materialistic (we could argue on this point, but that has nothing to do with how Opus Die operates), are a very American brand of evangelicalism. Opus Die is strictly Catholic. There are no pastors.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 11 hours ago
Possibly. John Goodman is righteous.
ykanteyespelltahco | 11 hours ago
Billy Baby is Divine
No-Fox-1400 | 10 hours ago
He is Teenjus
JimboFett87 | 9 hours ago
That’s Uncle Billy Baby to you
amg10red | 10 hours ago
Leo should so outlaw The Legion which was investigated for similar sex crimes like Opus Dei but mostly left intact by Benedict.
redlightsaber | 4 hours ago
They're very similar and have followed parallel paths for sure. But powerful as the Legion is, Opus Die is much larger and more influential.
Anxious-Jury-9031 | 19 minutes ago
There’s no evidence JD Vance is Opus Dei. Unless that was his fraternity’s name.
Early_Macaroon_2407 | 10 hours ago
Not a fan of the church, but Leo is making some interesting moves.
bentbrewer | 9 hours ago
Yes, I’ve got a little bit of hope with him.
BonzoTheBoss | 2 hours ago
I learned about Opus Dei from The Divinci Code.
WokkitUp | 8 hours ago
Thank you for leaving no stone unturned. I hadn't seen this angle, nor the depth of it.
SAwfulBaconTaco | 5 hours ago
Opus Dei sounds a hell of a lot like Scientology, in terms of its methods, not its theology.
ithinkitsahairball | 10 hours ago
You can trace Opus Dei back to The Inquisition.
[OP] horseradishstalker | 10 hours ago
Most religions borrow from the people who came before them, but Opus Dei itself was created in the 1920s by Josemaría Escrivá.
SAwfulBaconTaco | 5 hours ago
A cyst of Francoist fascism tucked safely away in the gigantic Catholic Church.
amg10red | an hour ago
If Leo un-canonizes him, I'll lmao and might even go back to church.
ImmediateLobster1 | 8 hours ago
I didn't expect that...
intruda1 | 6 hours ago
Aren't they the ones that self flagellate? I remember that from the DaVinci Code lol
redlightsaber | 4 hours ago
Yes
Spiritual_Lynx1929 | 6 hours ago
Why haven’t I heard about this before!
earth-calling-karma | an hour ago
Opus Dei is the low-rent version of the Knights of Columbanus who are the real masters of the conservative Catholic universe. Their job is to keep God in line.
nndel | 9 hours ago
Otis Day
https://youtu.be/MG7KCOO76Wc?si=sd0uwnX5gOvLJ5Wi
iJuddles | 6 hours ago
Wrong day.
Suitable-Lake-2550 | 9 hours ago
Wow
Sodi920 | 5 hours ago
They do run some fairly good universities to their credit.
Cephalopodium | 4 hours ago
Give me a Jesuit over an Opus Dei every time.