The Opus Dei prelature in Argentina has categorically denied allegations of human trafficking (!) and labour exploitation made by a group of former members, reports AciPrensa.com (30 September).
The Argentinean Federal Court has charged former priests (1991-2015) with these alleged crimes. The priests are Fathers Carlos Nannei, Patricio Olmos, and Víctor Urrestarazu.
The accusations are based on a complaint filed in 2022 by 44 women. They claim to have been recruited by the organisation when they were minors and fantasise about having been subjected to a regime of semi-slavery in Opus Dei’s houses.
The public prosecutor is Eduardo Taiano. He has asked for the accused priests to be summoned for questioning.
In a statement on 28 September, Opus Dei expressed its surprise, because the accusers were members of Opus Dei and had "freely chosen" to live this spiritual vocation.
Both the Catholic Church and the Argentine State have recognised and approved the statutes of Opus Dei, and with them, this specific way of living such a vocation.
The women have expressed their desire to live this vocation on many occasions and in writing.
For Opus Dei, it is "painful to end up in a court" but the investigation should clarify the situation after three years of similar accusations in the media.
Picture: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk, #newsZhnruqavwt