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While the personal prelature’s leadership underscores their filial acceptance of Francis’ decision, canon lawyers point out the significance of the change.
NEW YORK — When Pope Francis decreed on July 22 that the leader of Opus Dei, known as the prelate, would no longer be a bishop as the past two leaders had been, the decision was embraced by the group’s leadership without a hint of protest.
“The Pope’s desire to highlight the charismatic dimension of [Opus Dei] now invites us to reinforce the family atmosphere of affection and trust: the Prelate must be a guide but, above all, a father,” read a formal response issued by Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, the current prelate of Opus Dei.
Msgr. Ocáriz underscored the group’s filial acceptance of the Holy Father’s decision, which Pope Francis explained was made in order to base the ecclesial institute’s governance “more on the charism than on hierarchical authority.”
Msgr. Ocáriz’s reassuring message was echoed by Brian Finnerty, U.S. communications director for Opus Dei.
“We want this moment to be the occasion of going deeper into this wonderful charism that God entrusted to our founder, and we see the Pope encouraging us to do that,” Finnerty told the Register.
But while Opus Dei’s leadership accepted the modifications, which include shifting oversight of the personal prelature from the Dicastery for Bishops to the Dicastery for the Clergy, without demur, canonists contacted by the Register voiced surprise at Pope Francis’ move. And while these Church law experts said that the Pope’s motu proprio, Ad Charisma Tuendum (To Guard the Charism), wouldn’t necessarily affect the daily lives of Opus Dei’s more than 93,000 members, they questioned whether the significant changes were necessary.
Continued below.
Pope Francis Modifies Governance of Opus Dei: What Will It Mean?
NEW YORK — When Pope Francis decreed on July 22 that the leader of Opus Dei, known as the prelate, would no longer be a bishop as the past two leaders had been, the decision was embraced by the group’s leadership without a hint of protest.
“The Pope’s desire to highlight the charismatic dimension of [Opus Dei] now invites us to reinforce the family atmosphere of affection and trust: the Prelate must be a guide but, above all, a father,” read a formal response issued by Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, the current prelate of Opus Dei.
Msgr. Ocáriz underscored the group’s filial acceptance of the Holy Father’s decision, which Pope Francis explained was made in order to base the ecclesial institute’s governance “more on the charism than on hierarchical authority.”
Msgr. Ocáriz’s reassuring message was echoed by Brian Finnerty, U.S. communications director for Opus Dei.
“We want this moment to be the occasion of going deeper into this wonderful charism that God entrusted to our founder, and we see the Pope encouraging us to do that,” Finnerty told the Register.
But while Opus Dei’s leadership accepted the modifications, which include shifting oversight of the personal prelature from the Dicastery for Bishops to the Dicastery for the Clergy, without demur, canonists contacted by the Register voiced surprise at Pope Francis’ move. And while these Church law experts said that the Pope’s motu proprio, Ad Charisma Tuendum (To Guard the Charism), wouldn’t necessarily affect the daily lives of Opus Dei’s more than 93,000 members, they questioned whether the significant changes were necessary.
Continued below.
Pope Francis Modifies Governance of Opus Dei: What Will It Mean?
