Yet on closer examination, the reality is that Opus Dei members live in a system that disconnects the actual practices of the group – often manipulative and deceptive – from its lofty ideals – which in the mind justify actions and ways of thinking that would be clearly wrong if taken out of the context of the “higher goal.” (For example, Opus Dei numeraries are required to develop strategies with their directors for drawing potential members closer to Opus Dei, even to the point of manipulating behind the scenes to make a humanly orchestrated plan look like a spontaneous vision from God.) The result is a paradoxical, “Jekyll/Hyde” mentality that justifies abuses for the sake of the higher good. Who would ever guess the secret and dark life within? In a similar way, Opus Dei members on the outside can seem pious and dedicated, and as they repeatedly defend to the public, dedicated to living ordinary, godly lives. On the outside, Hanssen seemed to be the ideal Catholic: pious and dedicated, a firm parent, a loving husband, a dedicated and thorough worker. Death” because of the black suits he wore. Over the years, he was set apart from others in the FBI, where he was noted for his aloofness and distinctive dressing FBI colleagues nicknamed him “Dr. Hanssen then moved on to counterintelligence in the FBI’s New York bureau, quickly moving up into privileged positions. Robert Hanssen began his career in the Chicago Police Department as an internal corruptions investigator, a position that many found difficult as it required “spying” on one’s fellow officers. All of these traits and attributes can generally be found in Opus Dei members as well as spies. Several words come to mind: elitism, superiority, secretiveness, intelligence, detachment, isolation, fierce loyalty. However, on closer examination, the traditional profile we might associate with a spy and the traits common to members of Opus Dei are remarkably similar despite seeming paradoxical. When the news media reported that alleged spy Robert Hanssen was a member of Opus Dei back in 2001, many wondered how Hanssen could provide sensitive information to communists, when Opus Dei has always seemed to be so vehemently opposed to communism. Questions the secrecy surrounding Opus Dei, given its influence in the corridors of power. Henningsen, The American Catholic, April, 2001. Spies, Spooks, and the Catholic Church?” by Catharine A. This is a transcript of an interview conducted by Bill Delaney on after former FBI Agent Robert Hanssen, supernumerary member of Opus Dei, was indicted on charges of spying for Moscow. “This intersection of secret group and secret agent, however, demands that Opus Dei either reveal itself and its operations more fully or find that questions and doubts about it will multiply in the future.”ĬNN Transcript. The arrest of accused FBI spy Robert Hanssen shines a spotlight on Opus Dei, the enigmatic Catholic group he belonged to. “Opus Dei’s Secret Revealed: It Takes Spies in From the Cold,” by Eugene Kennedy, Religion News Service, 2001. For an in-depth article on this topic, see below. Of Opus Dei, both of whom share similarities such as elitism, superiority, secretiveness, The answer can be partly found in the paradoxical nature not only of Hanssen, but also The heart of one of the worst security breaches in the history of the United States? Many wonder, how could a seemingly pious, dedicated and hard-working man be at Of convicted FBI spy and Opus Dei supernumerary Robert Hanssen. Unlike the fictional Da Vinci Code, however, the movie is based on the true story Once again, Opus Dei members are featured in a movie entitled “Breach.”
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