The real Opus Dei

THE article about Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code” [“Fans, Foes Lining Up For ‘Da Vinci Code,’ ” May 7] made reference to the “super-secretive Opus Dei sect.” This description may be an appropriate description of Opus Dei in the novel, but it is not true of the real-life Opus Dei.

The term “sect” implies that Opus Dei is split off from the Catholic Church. The reality is that Opus Dei is a well-established, officially recognized part of the Catholic Church. It has been warmly encouraged by the popes since its earliest years. Indeed, Pope Benedict XVI has praised the work of Opus Dei on multiple occasions.

Far from being secretive, we have been opening our doors by providing hundreds of interviews to U.S. journalists. Our overall strategy in responding to “The Da Vinci Code” is to turn lemons into lemonade: We are happy to take advantage of every opportunity to talk about the reality of Opus Dei and the Catholic Church.

BRIAN FINNERTY

New York

Finnerty is U.S. media relations director for prelature of Opus Dei.