The Dark Legacy of Opus Dei's Ties to Franco's Regime
On July 14, 1952, Álvaro del Portillo, a pivotal figure in Opus Dei and the successor to its founder, José María Escrivá de Balaguer, wrote a letter to Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. In the letter, he expressed a desire for an audience to discuss the organization's endeavors and expressed gratitude for Franco's previous support. Del Portillo's correspondence, recently uncovered by British researcher Gareth Gore, reveals a strategy to solicit financial assistance from the regime that had systematically eliminated its political adversaries.
When the Spanish Civil War erupted, Escrivá was forced into hiding, switching his clerical attire for workers' garments. As Franco's regime secured its power, it fostered an environment ripe for the expansion of Opus Dei, which seized the opportunity to influence Spain's socio-religious landscape. Public religious education became compulsory, bolstering the importance and reach of organizations like Opus Dei, which had been previously operating discreetly.
In a letter penned shortly after the war, Escrivá hinted at the potential for religious organizations to thrive under Franco’s rule, hinting at a willingness to co-opt the regime for their religious agenda. Del Portillo laid out plans for educational institutions in his letter, positioning them within the framework of a 'Christian social order' that would combat perceived threats from secular and leftist ideologies.
Despite the brutality of Franco's government, which oppressed countless individuals for their political beliefs, Opus Dei sought to ingratiate itself by offering to 'quell subversive elements.' They criticized subversive doctrines while advertising their growth among workers and peasants – all conducted under a veneer of discretion.
Del Portillo’s request for a corporate loan of 55 million pesetas (approximately 25 million today) to establish educational institutions was framed as essential for the promotion of a spiritual agenda while hinting at the financial acumen that Opus Dei would exhibit in managing its operations. Though Franco ultimately did not grant this request, the precedent had been set: earlier, Del Portillo had requested funds for the Roman College of the Holy Cross, another hallmark of the organization's ambition.
This intertwining of Opus Dei with Franco’s regime was coupled with intrigue and rivalry, particularly evident in reports from the Spanish Falange, a fascist organization that feared Opus Dei's rising influence. They accused Opus Dei of pursuing political power through cultural institutions. Such allegations reached a boiling point when Francisco Herranz, a Falange founder, committed suicide with a note denouncing Opus Dei, highlighting the tensions between different factions vying for influence in the Francoist regime.
The relationships forged between Opus Dei and key political figures were not solely about financial support; they also included a cultural penetration that allowed Opus Dei to place members in significant institutional roles. The Spanish National Research Council, which was created under Franco, quickly became a vessel for Opus Dei influence, as one out of every 16 lucrative research grants was awarded to members of the organization.
Today, as Opus Dei faces scrutiny over its historical actions during Franco's dictatorship and contemporary allegations of human trafficking in Argentina, the legacy of its collaboration with the regime is difficult to escape. These revelations not only offer a glimpse into the past but also challenge the organization to confront its intricate ties to a period marked by repression and moral ambiguity in Spain.
Gore's upcoming book, 'Opus,' promises to delve deeper into these connections, revealing how an organization founded on spiritual principles became intertwined with one of Europe's most repressive regimes. The enduring questions about the balance of faith and power echo through Opus Dei’s nearly century-long existence. As it stands at a crossroads today, Opus Dei must reckon with the legacy of its past relationships and their implications for its future.
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