Seeking justice from Opus Dei

Available for over a year

Opus Dei is a controversial Catholic organisation with schools and conference centres across the globe. Close links to the Vatican mean senior members are highly influential within the Catholic church. Opus Dei is Latin for “Work of God” and their aim is to help people to achieve holiness through their everyday work. The vast majority of its members are lay people. Within Opus Dei, “assistant numeraries” are women responsible for cooking and cleaning in Opus Dei centres, serving other Opus Dei members. Over the years, these assistant numeraries appear to have mainly been recruited from poor or working-class backgrounds and through hospitality schools affiliated with the organisation. Former assistant numeraries who worked in Opus Dei centres say they were overworked, unpaid, isolated from their families and emotionally and spiritually abused. For some, the experience has left their faith deeply shaken. Journalist Antonia Cundy has been following allegations against Opus Dei and for Heart and Soul she speaks to women from Latin America who have shared their stories with her. Presenter: Antonia Cundy Producer: Rachel Briggs