Opus Dei. An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church by John. L. Allen, Jr. (review)

546 the jurist Some suggestions, however, are in order. First, the existing index of names is necessary, but a subject index would also have been beneficial. Second, a list of the contributors with their institutional affiliations and brief bibliographical references would have served to introduce, particularly to NorthAmerican readers, authors who may not have been known. Third, although the existing preface is useful, perhaps a longer and more analytic article of concluding remarks could have synthesized the major conclusions and noted the unresolved issues. Fourth, the discussion of concrete examples of synodal expressions is valuable, but still too limited . There are detailed descriptions of the contemporary expressions of synodality in many European countries and in Canada, India, and West Africa, but nothing on the role of synods in the United States. An assessment of the history and theology of the seven provincial and three plenary councils of Baltimore in the nineteenth century and the episcopal conferences in the United States before and after Vatican II would have been a genuine contribution to this book. Notwithstanding these suggestions, this book can be recommended to anyone with a serious interest in theology, canon law, Church history, or ecumenism. It is a rich source of information on an important contemporary issue. Patrick Granfield, O.S.B. The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. OPUS DEI.AN OBJECTIVE LOOK BEHIND THE MYTHSAND REALITY OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FORCE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by John. L. Allen, Jr. New York/London/ Toronto/Sydney/Auckland: Doubleday, 2005. John L.Allen, Jr., a well known journalist once based in Rome, covers the “Vatican” news for the National Catholic Reporter (NCR). In this capacity , he used to write a weekly column, The Word from Rome, now for NCR, All Things Catholic. In addition, Allen is an author and publishes books based on his work as a journalist in Rome. Until recently, he exclusively dealt with the papacy and related topics: his book, Conclave (Doubleday, 2002), reveals the procedures of a conclave and gives his view on the possible succession of John Paul II; All the Pope’s Men (Doubleday, 2004), addresses the Roman Curia. Two slightly different biographies of the same person, Cardinal Ratzinger. The Vatican’s Enforcer of the Faith (Continuum, 2000) and The Rise of Benedict XVI (Doubleday, 2005) complete the list of Allen’s books. Allen’s new book covers an entirely different topic, Opus Dei, founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. Nevertheless, the choice for this topic is understandable. Most people see Opus Dei as a part of the central organization of the Church, and therefore closely linked to the papacy. The fact that Opus Dei is a personal prelature strengthens this impression. The book contains four sections and fifteen chapters.A detailed index, a very helpful instrument, has been added to the text. One misses a bibliography ; that is a negative point. In the first section,Allen focuses on the essentials: he gives a quick overview of Opus Dei and provides us with information on its founder. In the second section, he presents the organization from the inside. He covers the internal life of Opus Dei under four topics: sanctification of work, contemplatives in the world, Christian freedom, and divine filiation. The next eight chapters fit under the section “Question Marks about Opus Dei.” Allen highlights some peculiar problems for Opus Dei: secrecy, blind obedience, mortification, women, money, recruiting, and the organization in the Church and in politics. The last section is dedicated to an evaluation and some thoughts on the future of the organization. The book is well-documented. Allen has access to several sources and researched the materials thoroughly, at least with regard to witness testimonials . One cannot expect less than this from a good journalist. Allen traveled extensively and interviewed many people; at times, the book appears more like a travelogue. The author points out that Escriva tried to bring lay people, both men and women, and clergy together in one organization. He did not want clericalism, and applied Vatican II’s teaching on the laity even before the conciliar documents were drafted. According to Allen, Escriva was ahead of his time, and this is probably true...