The M+G+R Foundation

Listing of Cardinals, Bishops and Priests in the Opus Dei Orbit

and/or

In the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross


On a Worldwide Scale


INTRODUCTION

Jump to INDEX

Clarifications  |  Notes


PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to illustrate the level of penetration and control that Opus Dei —in the form of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross— has in the Roman Catholic Church, and thus, in the world at large.

The list provided here is of Cardinals, Bishops and Priests who, according to the original sources, are either members of Opus Dei or have some kind of affinity with Opus Dei (sympathize, collaborate, protect or even fully support it).

This is not an exhaustive list. It is only the result of a limited search of publicly accessible sources where it is possible to find facts or statements that evidence the link or inclination of a significant sample of the clergy towards Opus Dei.


THE PRIESTLY SOCIETY - WHAT IS IT?

Contrary to the advertising slogan that "Opus Dei is a personal prelature", Opus Dei is not only the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross. The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is also part of Opus Dei. In this regard, there are two circumstances that must be taken into account when counting the number of Opus Dei priests:

1. The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, an entity created by and for Opus Dei, is the way by which diocesan priests (1) can form part of Opus Dei, since these, by ecclesiastical norm, cannot be members of the Prelature.

2. But there is also the fact that all priests who are members of the Prelature are automatically members of the Priestly Society.

The result is that all priests of Opus Dei, whether or not they are members of the Prelature, are members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross. Therefore, counting the number of members of the Priestly Society is the same as counting the number of priests who are members of Opus Dei as an overall organization.


GLOBAL FIGURES

As officially reported by Opus Dei (2), in 2017 there were 3,983 priest members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, of which:

•  2,083 were incardinated in the Prelature.

•  1,900 were incardinated in their respective dioceses (diocesan priests).

According to the same source, in 2017 the priests of the Prelature (the 2,083 already mentioned) were 2.25% of the total membership (92,600) of the Prelature.

Apart from the priests officially enrolled in the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, Opus Dei undoubtedly exerts an influence on and attracts sympathy from an immense number of priests throughout the world. Although it is not possible to give global figures for the latter, the following document can give an idea of its magnitude.

Consider also that the figures provided by Opus Dei about its members are not audited by any ecclesiastical or civil entity external to Opus Dei.


DISCLAIMERS

1. In this document we qualify as "members of Opus Dei" all priests, bishops and cardinals who are members of the "Priestly Society of the Holy Cross", assuming a broad sense of the term "Opus Dei" —supported by its Catechism— according to which Opus Dei is not limited to the Prelature. (3)

2. This list of cardinals, bishops and priests does not claim to be complete, but only a significant sample of ecclesiastics who are members of Opus Dei or in the orbit of Opus Dei.

3. The absence of the indication "Member of Opus Dei" in the commentary corresponding to a priest, bishop or cardinal does not necessarily mean that the ecclesiastic is not a member of Opus Dei, but simply that this condition has not been found in the sources consulted.

4. For detailed justification of these points, the reader is referred to the SUPPLEMENTARY CLARIFICATIONS section at the end of this document.

5. Many of the hyperlinks were obtained around 2017. The reader is warned that it is possible that some of them (in a number that we cannot anticipate) may not be working years later.





GENERAL INDEX

Introduction  |  Section 1

1.  Founder and Prelates
2.  Cardinal members of Opus Dei
3.  Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit
4.  Bishops members or in the Opus Dei orbit
5.  Priests members of Opus Dei
6.  Supplementary Clarifications
7.  Notes
8.  Some numbered sources





1. FOUNDER AND PRELATES

General Index  |  Section 2


Opus Dei was initiated by Josemaría Escrivá in the years 1930-1940. Since 1982, when Opus Dei was declared a "Personal Prelature", the person who presides over the organization is called "Prelate".


Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975)
Founder of Opus Dei. He was born in Spain on January 9, 1902 and died on June 26, 1975. He was never a bishop, only a priest (ordained in 1925). He obtained the honorary title of "monsignor" in 1947. The Vatican declared him "blessed" on May 17, 1992 and "saint" on October 6, 2002. In 1968, he requested and received in Spain the aristocratic title of Marquis of Peralta (which he later renounced). He established the University of Navarra (in Pamplona, Spain) in 1952 and the University of Piura (in Lima, Peru) in 1969, as important institutions affiliated with Opus Dei. In the mystical field, his figure is likely to play a very prominent role in the End of Time.

Álvaro del Portillo y Díez de Sollano (1914-1994)
First Prelate of Opus Dei (1975-1994) and titular bishop of Vita (1990-1994, symbolic see, not territorial). Born in Spain in 1914. Declared "blessed" by the Vatican in 2014. From the beginning he became Escrivá's right-hand man. He was the "spearhead" of Opus Dei in the Vatican, initially having better connections with Rome than Escrivá. It was in 1992, under his presidency, when John Paul II granted Opus Dei the juridical form of "Personal Prelature".

Javier Echevarría Rodríguez (†2016)
Second Prelate of Opus Dei (1994-2016) and titular bishop of Cilibia (1994-1994; symbolic, not territorial see). Born in Spain in 1932.

Fernando Ocáriz Braña
Third Prelate of Opus Dei since 2017. Priest, not bishop. Born in France in 1944, from a Spanish family. Not being a bishop, when Opus Dei wants to ordain priests for the Prelature it is forced to resort to bishops who are members of or related to the organization.


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2. CARDINAL MEMBERS OF OPUS DEI

Section 1  |  General Index  |  Section 3


Of the following three cardinals, the first two belong to the Opus Dei Prelature and the third, as recorded in the related Wikipedia list (as of at least August 2014), is a member of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross.

Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne
Cardinal appointed by John Paul II in 2001. Archbishop of Lima (1999-2019), Peru. Regional Vicar of Opus Dei in Peru. Vice Chancellor of the University of Piura (1986-1988). Doctorate in theology from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei (source).

Julián Herranz Casado
Cardinal appointed by John Paul II in 2003. President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (1994-2007). Born in Spain. "He is considered one of the most important experts on the Code of Canon Law" (source). Member of Opus Dei (source).

Malcolm Ranjith
Cardinal appointed by Benedict XVI in 2010. Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2005-2009). "He has criticized the 'almost total neglect' of Latin in America" and "is a strong supporter of the Tridentine Mass" (source). Member of Opus Dei (source).


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3. CARDINALS IN THE OPUS DEI ORBIT

Section 2  |  General Index  |  Section 4

Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit


Criteria for the inclusion of a cardinal on this list

The different sections in which the following list of cardinals is organized refer to the most important types of information available to us that show the affinity of each cardinal to Opus Dei. There are cardinals who could properly appear in several of the sections, in which case we cite them in only one, for simplicity of exposition.


INDEX OF CARDINALS IN THE OPUS DEI ORBIT

Top of Section  |  First Subsection (3.1)

3.1.  Cardinals (including Popes) who have given a special concession or protection to Opus Dei
3.2.  Celebration of Escrivá's Centennial in 2002
3.3.  Cardinals who have visited the Shrine of Torreciudad
3.4.  Celebration of the canonization (declaration of Escrivá as a "saint") of Escrivá
3.5.  Celebration of the beatification (declaration as "blessed") of Álvaro del Portillo
3.6.  Celebration of the liturgical feast of Escrivá (June 26)
3.7.  Cardinals who have consecrated members of Opus Dei to the dignity of bishop
3.8.  Celebration of the beatification (declaration of Escrivá as "blessed") of Escrivá
3.9.  Other cardinals who promote or sympathize with Opus Dei


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Listing of Cardinals in the orbit of Opus Dei classified in sections


3.1. Cardinals (including Popes) who have given a special concession or protection to Opus Dei

Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.2


A. First, we have the three well-known "Popes" who have first proclaimed (John Paul II) and later upheld (Benedict and Francis) the special status of Opus Dei as a Personal Prelature and the title of Josemaría Escrivá as a "saint":


A1. The special position of John Paul II

Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła - "John Paul II" (1978-†2005)

In 1982, "The Work" of Escriva was specially blessed by John Paul II by granting them a unique status in the form of a "Personal Prelature".

This was effectively confirmed as a Papal protection for them to continue functioning as a parallel Church within the Church - differentiated by their cult of Josemaría Escrivá, elevated by them to the title of "The Father" (a title accepted by Escrivá himself) in opposition to the very clear instructions of Jesus:

“Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.” [Matthew 23:9-10]

How could it be that John Paul II was led to consent to this contradiction? Could he have been manipulated? How is it that this Pope, whose heart belonged to God, promoted, within the Christian Church, an institution that disobeys, even proudly, the very clear instructions of Christ that warn against making an idol of a human being?


A2. Cardinals that, after John Paul II, the world has received as Popes

Cardenal Joseph Ratzinger - "Benedicto XVI" (2005-2013)
While a cardinal, he was named Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Navarra Universidad de Navarra (source), the vital center of Opus Dei. Under his pontificate, a statue portraying Josemaría Escrivá was erected and blessed outside St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican [Ref-2005-001]. In the mystical realm, he plays a prominent role in the End of These Times.

Nothing could be more eloquent and definitive in firmly proclaiming full support for Escriva than to erect a statue of him "in the holy place". So, could this be a sign of the Times? Judge for yourself.

Cardenal Jorge Bergoglio - "Francisco I" (2013-)
As Cardinal and Archbishop of Buenos Aires, in 2001 he presided at a Mass, concelebrated together with the Vicar of Opus Dei, before 2500 faithful, in honor of Josemaría on his liturgical feast of June 26 (source). As a cardinal, he consecrated Hugo Nicolás Barbaro, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source). Together with Ratzinger, he has a prominent role in the End of These Times.


B. With the signature of the following two cardinals, who presided over the Congregation for Bishops in 1992, Opus Dei was elevated from a Secular Institute to a Personal Prelature: (Source)

Sebastiano Baggio (†1993)
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Born in Italy. In 2014, he celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the recently granted beatification of Álvaro del Portillo (Source).

Lucas Moreira Neves (†2002)
Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops. Born in Brazil.


C. Other cardinals who granted some type of protection or special benefit to Opus Dei:

Federico Tedeschini (†1959)
Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. Born in Italy. In 1952 Cardinal Tedeschini took office as Cardinal Protector of Opus Dei, according to the law then in force (source).

Josef Frings (†1978)
Archbishop of Cologne, Germany. "Through the request of Cardinal Frings, then Archbishop of Cologne, the first members of Opus Dei arrived in Cologne in 1952" (source).

Paul-Émile Léger (†1991)
Archbishop of Montreal, Canada. Through the request of this archbishop, in 1967 Opus Dei was established for the first time in Canada, starting in Montreal (source).

Andrzej Maria Deskur (†2011)
President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Born in Poland. "Cardinal Deskur, an admirer of St. Josemaría and a great friend of the man who would be his successor at the head of Opus Dei, Bishop Álvaro del Portillo, spoke to the Cardinal of Krakow (Karol Wojtyła, the future John Paul II), when he was coming to Rome, about Opus Dei and its Founder." (source)

Leopoldo Eijo y Garay (†1963)
Bishop of Madrid-Alcalá, Spain. "In the face of the criticism that Opus Dei received from some Jesuits in Madrid and in other Spanish cities, such as Barcelona and Valencia, the Bishop of Madrid-Alcalá [Leopoldo Eijo y Garay] always came to its defense. In fact, on March 19, 1941, he dated the first juridical approval Opus Dei received, as Pious Union." (source)

Romolo Carboni (†1999)
Apostolic Nuncio to Italy (1969-1999). Born in Italy. He received the assignment, which he fulfilled, to execute the provisions of the Apostolic Letter "Ut Sit" by which, in 1982, Opus Dei was erected as a Personal Prelature (source). He consecrated Luis Sánchez-Moreno Lira, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).


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3.2. Celebration of Escrivá's Centennial in 2002

Subsection 3.1  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.3


The importance of Escrivá's centennial in January 2002 (one hundred years since his birth) is that it served as a final impetus or premonition of Escrivá's canonization, which took place in October of the same year.


A. The following six cardinals celebrated Escrivá's centenary in 2002 with a "concelebrated Mass on January 9 in the Basilica of St. Eugene" [Ref-2002-001]. The Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome, near the headquarters of Opus Dei and entrusted to them, is of great symbolic importance for Opus Dei (source).

Alfonso López Trujillo (†2008)
President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. Born in Colombia.

Paul Poupard
President of the Pontifical Council for Culture (1988-2007). Born in France. Former titular cardinal of the Basilica of St. Eugene (source).

Giovanni Battista Re
Dean of the College of Cardinals. Born in Italy.

José Saraiva Martins
President of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (1998-2008). Born in Portugal.

Sergio Sebastiani
President of the Prefecture of Economy of the Holy See (1997-2008). Born in Italy.

Camillo Ruini
Vicar General of Rome (1991-2008). Born in Italy. Chaired the international commission of inquiry on Medjugorje organized in 2010 (source).


B. A collateral participant in the St. Eugene Mass:

Ignace Moussa I Daoud (†2012)
Patriarch of Antioch, Lebanon (1998-2001). Although not as a co-celebrant, he attended the concelebrated Mass that took place on January 9 (2002) in the Basilica of St. Eugene for the centenary of Escrivá [Ref-2002-001]. Elsewhere, at the end of a Mass that was part of the same centenary, he exclaimed "May Opus Dei be an element of hope in Lebanon" [Ref-2002-002].


C. Masses for the centenary of Escrivá's death:

Christoph Schönborn
Archbishop of Vienna, Austria. On the occasion of Escrivá's centenary, "Cardinal Schönborn concelebrated with two other bishops in the Viennese Cathedral of St. Stephen in front of about three thousand faithful" [Ref-2002-001].

Francis George (†2015)
Archbishop of Chicago. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Escrivá's birth, "In Chicago, where Opus Dei first came to the United States more than 50 years ago, 2,000 people attended the Mass for Josemaría celebrated by Cardinal Francis George" (source).

Cormac Murphy-O'Connor (†2017)
Archbishop of Westminster, London. "He presided at the centenary Mass for Josemaría Escrivá attended by 1,800 people at Westminster Cathedral in London" (source).


D. The following eight cardinals celebrated, in their respective cities (in parentheses), the centenary of Escrivá with a Mass for the faithful of their dioceses (source):

László Pacifik Paskai (Budapest, Hungría) (†2015)

Adrianus Johannes Simonis (Utrecht, Países Bajos)

Jean-Marie Lustiger (París, Francia) (†2007)

Miguel Obando Bravo (Managua, Nicaragua) (†2018)

Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir (Bkerké, Líbano) (†2019)

Edward Bede Clancy (Sydney, Australia) (†2014)
In addition, he celebrated Mass for the feast of Escrivá in 2013, the first occasion of the feast after the 2012 canonization (source [ES]).

Joachim Meisner (Colonia, Alemania) (†2017)
Cardinal Joachim Meisner's work "The Charism of Opus Dei in the Church" is one of the works included in a book published on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of the founder of Opus Dei. (source)

Leo Scheffczyck (Colonia, Alemania) (†2005)
Cardinal Leo Scheffczyck's work "Grace in the Spirituality of Josemaría Escrivá" is one of the works included in a book published on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of the founder of Opus Dei. (source)


E. Other celebrants of the centennial:

Jaime Sin (†2005)
Archbishop of Manila (1974-2003), Philippines. He presided at the Mass for the centenary of Josemaría Escrivá in Manila, saying that "Blessed Josemaría and his message are not only for Opus Dei, but for the whole Church" (source).

Antonio José González Zumárraga (†2008)
Archbishop of Quito, Ecuador. In 2002, in the cathedral of Quito, he celebrated a mass in commemoration of the centenary of Escrivá, a mass concelebrated with ten bishops and forty priests. Pedro Pinto attended the Mass. (source [ES]) In 1990, he consecrated Antonio Arregui Yarza, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop. (source)

Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez
Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (1981-2016). In 2002, some 50,000 stamps were put into circulation in the Dominican Republic on the occasion of the centenary of Escrivá's birth. The act of issuance was attended by Cardinal Nicolás Jesús López. (source [ES])


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3.3. Cardinals who have visited the Shrine of Torreciudad

Subsection 3.2  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.4


The Shrine of Torreciudad is, symbolically, so closely linked to the figure of Escrivá that to visit it is to show one's total support and veneration for Escrivá and his work.


Each of the following thirteen cardinals listed has visited the Shrine of Torreciudad. Being only 24 kilometers from Escrivá's birthplace, its symbolic importance and the identification of the shrine with the cult of Escrivá is so well known and notorious that the mere fact that an ecclesiastic —especially a bishop or cardinal— visits the shrine is tantamount to publicly endorsing the personality and work of Josemaría Escrivá.

James Francis Stafford
Archbishop of Denver (1986-1996), Colorado (visit to Torreciudad [ES])

Stanisław Ryłko
President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (2005-2016). Born in Poland (visit to Torreciudad [ES]).

Robert Sarah
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Born in French Guinea. In 2018, he ordained 31 priests of the Prelature of Opus Dei in the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome (source [ES]) (visit to Torreciudad [ES]).

Lluís Martínez Sistach
Archbishop of Barcelona (2004-2015), Spain (visit to Torreciudad [ES])

Renato Raffaele Martino
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2002-2009). Born in France (visita a Torreciudad).

Roger Etchegaray (†2019)
Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals (2005-2019). Born in France (visita a Torreciudad).

Crescenzio Sepe
Archbishop of Naples, Italy (visita a Torreciudad)

Franz Cardinal König (†2004)
Archbishop of Vienna, Austria. In Torreciudad he ordained José Horacio Gómez, a member of Opus Dei, to the priesthood (source [ES]).

Ángel Suquía Goicoechea (†2006)
Archbishop of Madrid, Spain. Ordained 22 priests in Torreciudad (source [ES]).

Luis Aponte Martínez (†2012)
Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico (1964-1999) (visita a Torreciudad). Celebrated Mass for the third anniversary of the death of Álvaro del Portillo (source [ES]).

Silvio Angelo Pio Oddi (†2001)
President of the Congregation for the Clergy (1979-1986). Born in Italy. Ordained at least 14 priests in Torreciudad (source [ES]).

Carlos Osoro Sierra
Archbishop of Madrid, Spain (visita a Torreciudad). He was one of more than 40 bishops (he being, in addition, Cardinal) in Spain who celebrated Masses for the death of Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, in 2016. [Ref-2016-001]

Antonio Cañizares Llovera
Archbishop of Valencia, Spain (visita a Torreciudad). He was one of more than 40 bishops (he being, in addition, Cardinal) in Spain who celebrated Masses for the death of Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, in 2016. ([Ref-2016-001]


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3.4. Celebration of the canonization (declaration of Escrivá as a "saint") of Escrivá

Subsection 3.3  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.5


The Vatican declared Escrivá a "saint" on October 6, 2002, only 10 years after he was declared "blessed" and only 27 years after his death.


A. In 2002, the following two cardinals concelebrated a Mass before nine thousand people in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Rome) for the people who had come from Spain on the occasion of Escrivá's canonization [Ref-2002-002]:

Antonio María Rouco Varela
Archbishop of Madrid, Spain (1994-2014)

Francisco Álvarez Martínez
Archbishop of Toledo, Spain (1995-2002)


B. Other celebrants of the canonization::

Jorge María Mejía (†2014)
Archivist of the Vatican Secret Archives (1998-2003). Born in Argentina. In 2002, he concelebrated a Mass in Rome as a thanksgiving for the recently granted canonization of Escrivá, a Mass concelebrated with sixty bishops and priests, for the people of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia who had come to the event [Ref-2002-002].

Bernard Agré (†2014)
Archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1994-2006). In 2002, in Rome, he celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the newly conferred canonization of Escrivá for French-speakers [Ref-2002-002].

Francis Arinze
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2002-2008). Born in Nigeria. In 1994, he participated in the solemn funeral Mass for Álvaro del Portillo in the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome [Ref-1994-001]. In 2002, he celebrated Masses in Rome, in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, as a thanksgiving for the recently granted canonization of Escrivá (source).

Darío Castrillón Hoyos (†2018)
President of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" (2000-2009). Born in Colombia. In 2002, he celebrated Mass in Rome as a thanksgiving for the recently granted canonization of Escrivá for Spanish speakers (source).


C. The following two cardinals have spoken publicly and favorably of Escrivá's canonization [Ref-2002-003]:

Norberto Rivera Carrera
Archbishop of Mexico, Federal District

Juan José Omella
Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain). He was Bishop of Barbastro-Monzón (Spain), being Barbastro Escrivá's hometown. He was one of more than 40 bishops (he being, in addition, Cardinal) in Spain who celebrated Masses for the death of Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, in 2016. [Ref-2016-001]


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3.5. Celebration of the beatification (declaration as "blessed") of Álvaro del Portillo

Subsection 3.4  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.6


Alvaro del Portillo, Escrivá's first successor, was declared "blessed" in 2014, that is, 20 years after his death.


Angelo Amato
Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (2008-2018). Born in Italy. Presided in 2014 over the celebration in which Álvaro del Portillo, who was prelate of Opus Dei, was proclaimed "Blessed" (source [ES])).

Agostino Vallini
Vicar General of Rome (2008-2017). Born in Italy. In 2014, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome, he celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the (then) recent beatification of Bishop Álvaro del Portillo, prelate of Opus Dei. (source [ES]).

Santos Abril y Castelló
Archpriest of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (2011-2016). Born in Spain. In 2014, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, he celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the (then) recent beatification of Bishop Álvaro del Portillo, prelate of Opus Dei. (source [ES])

Manuel Monteiro de Castro
Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary (2012-2013). Born in Portugal. In 2014, he referred to Monsignor Álvaro del Portillo as "an exemplary priest" and also expressed his great joy for the already upcoming beatification. (source [ES])


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3.6. Celebration of the liturgical feast of Escrivá (June 26)

Subsection 3.5  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.7


The liturgical feast in honor of Escrivá was established when he was declared "blessed" in 1992, assigning him the date of June 26 of each year. The same annual date was maintained when he was declared a "saint" in 2002.


A. In June 2001, in the respective cities (in parentheses), the following three cardinals presided at Masses celebrating the liturgical feast of Escrivá (then still declared "blessed", before being declared "saint"). (source)

Bernard Francis Law (†2017) (Boston)
Archbishop of Boston (1984-2002). Bernard Law was involved in a sex abuse scandal, protecting priests... and was relocated in Rome to different positions in the Roman Curia, preventing him from being tried. (source [ES])

Theodore McCarrick (Washington D.C)
Archbishop of Washington, District of Columbia (2000-2006). In 2018, the Vatican removed McCarrick from public ministry "because of credible allegations of sexual abuse" (source).

Eugênio de Araújo Sales (†2012) (Río de Janeiro)
Archbishop of San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1971-2001). In 1990, he consecrated Rafael Llano Cifuentes, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.


B. In June 2002, four months before the canonization in October, the following cardinal celebrated Mass for the liturgical feast of Escrivá (then still declared "blessed" before being declared a "saint"). (source)

Johannes Joachim Degenhardt (†2002)
Archbishop of Paderborn (1974-2002), Germany.


C. Other cardinals who celebrated the feast in later years (he having already been declared a "saint"):

Dionigi Tettamanzi (†2017)
Archbishop of Milan, Italy (2002-2011). In 2003, in Milan, at a Mass in honor of Josemaría Escrivá, on the first occasion of his feast day, he stated in his homily "we recognize in this saint, and in his work, a great gift of God for the Church and for us in particular." (source)

Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi (†2007)
Archbishop of Kinshasa, D.R. Congo (1990-2007). In 2003, on the first occasion of Escrivá's feast day since his canonization, nine bishops from various Congolese dioceses concelebrated Mass in honor of Escrivá in the cathedral of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), with Cardinal Etsou presiding (source).

Edward Egan (†2015)
Archbishop of New York (2000-2009). While bishop of Bridgeport, he protected sexually abusive priests (source). He celebrated Mass for the liturgical feast of Escrivá in 2004 (source1 [ES]) (source2).

Daniel Nicholas DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas. In 2017 he was one of the bishops (while he was also a Cardinal) in the United States who celebrated Masses for the feast of Escrivá (source). He was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during 2016-2019.

Giuseppe Betori
Archbishop of Florence, Italy. In 2009, he celebrated Mass for Escrivá's liturgical feast of June 26 (source [IT]). Also in 2018 (source [IT]).


D. The following are cardinals who in 2014 (source) or in 2015 (source) in the United States, celebrated Masses for Escrivá's feast day. (Kevin Farrell was named a cardinal in 2016):

Donald William Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington, District of Columbia (2006-2019)

Sean Patrick O’Malley
Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts. In 2011, in Boston, under his authority as archbishop, the cause for the canonization of José Luis Múzquiz de Miguel, one of the first three faithful of Opus Dei to receive priestly ordination, was opened (source [ES]).

Kevin Joseph Farrell
Bishop of Dallas, Texas, since 2001; Cardinal since 2016; Prefect of Laity, Family and Life since 2016.


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3.7. Cardinals who have consecrated members of Opus Dei to the dignity of bishop

Subsection 3.6  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.8


The consecration of a bishop is a solemn and definitive act that requires the consecrating bishop to know with certainty the spiritual situation of the aspirant and to approve it without any doubt.


The consecration of a bishop normally requires a bishop called a "principal consecrator" and at least two other bishops called "co-consecrators". The following is a list of bishops who have acted as "principal consecrator" in the consecration of a member of Opus Dei to the dignity of bishop.

Juan Carlos Aramburu (†2004)
Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1975-1990). He consecrated Rogelio Delgado Evers, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Antonio Quarracino (†1998)
Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1990-1998). He consecrated Francisco Polti Santillán, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Eusébio Oscar Scheid
Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (2001-2009). He consecrated Antônio Augusto Dias Duarte, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Odilo Scherer
Archbishop of São Paulo, Brazil. He consecrated Carlos Lema Garcia, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Juan Francisco Fresno Larraín
Archbishop of Santiago de Chile. He consecrated Adolfo Rodríguez Vidal, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

John Tong Hon
Bishop of Hong Kong, China. Consecrated Stephen Lee Bun-Sang, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Pablo Muñoz Vega (†1994)
Archbishop of Quito, Ecuador. Consecrated Juan Ignacio Larrea Holguín, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State of the Holy See (2009-2013). Born in Italy. Consecrated Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru and Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, members of Opus Dei, as bishops (source).

Raymond Leo Burke
Archbishop of St. Louis (2003-2013), Missouri. Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (2013-2014). Consecrated Robert Finn, a member of Opus Dei, a bishop (source).

Justin Francis Rigali
Archbishop of Philadelphia (2003-2011), Pennsylvania. He consecrated John Barres, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka, Japan. He consecrated Paul Toshihiro Sakai, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Juan Landázuri Ricketts (†1997)
Archbishop of Lima (1955-1989), Peru. He consecrated Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne and Ignacio María de Orbegozo, members of Opus Dei, as bishops (source).

Mario Tagliaferri (†1999)
Archbishop, Apostolic Nuncio to France (1995-1999). Born in Italy. Consecrated Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez, member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

José Humberto Quintero (†1984)
Archbishop of Caracas (1960-1980), Venezuela. Consecrated Francisco de Guruceaga Iturriza, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Jorge Urosa Savino
Archbishop of Caracas (2005-2018), Venezuela. He consecrated Fernando José Castro Aguayo, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Rodolfo Wirz
Bishop of Maldonado-Punta del Este (1985-2018), Uruguay. Consecrated as bishop Jaime Rafael sources Martín, member of Opus Dei (source).

Juan Ricote Alonso (†1972)
Bishop of Teruel (1968-1972), Spain. He consecrated Julián Herranz Casado, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Nicholas Marcus Fernando (†2020)
Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He consecrated Malcolm Ranjith, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).


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3.8. Celebration of the beatification (declaration of Escrivá as "blessed") of Escrivá

Subsection 3.7  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 3.9


Escrivá's first liturgical feast in June 1992 was turned into a worldwide exhibition of the support of his faithful for the beatification just granted in May.


June 26, 1992 was the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "blessed" (exactly forty days earlier, on May 17 of the same year). It was celebrated by more than two hundred and fifty bishops and archbishops around the world, including the following cardinals (and possibly more): [Ref-1992-001]

Angelo Felici, Italy

Pietro Palazzini, Italy

Antonio Innocenti, Italy

Archbishop Silvano Piovanelli, Italy

Archbishop Giovanni Canestri, Italy

Archbishop Mariano Magrassi, Italy

Archbishop Antonio Ribeiro, Portugal

Archbishop Daneels, President of the Swiss Bishops' Conference in 1992

Archbishop Friedrich Wetter, President of the Bishops' Conference of Bavaria, Germany, 1992

Archbishop Hermann Groer, Germany

Archbishop Raúl Primatesta, Argentina

Bishop Jorge Medina Estévez (Cardinal since 1998), Chile

Archbishop José de Jesús Pimiento (Cardinal since 2015), Colombia

Archbishop José Alí Lebrún, Venezuela

Archbishop Juan Jesús Posada Ocampo, Mexico

Joseph Bernardin, Chicago, United States

Manuel Monteiro, Apostolic Nuncio to El Salvador in 1992


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3.9. Other cardinals who promote or sympathize with Opus Dei

Subsection 3.8  |  Index of Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit  |  Subsection 4


Marcelo González Martín (†2004)
Archbishop of Toledo (1971-1995), Spain. His testimony is collected in a book by several authors about Escrivá, "Así le vieron", a book that collects testimonies about the founder of Opus Dei (source [ES]).

Jorge Medina Estévez
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (1998-2002). Born in Chile. His testimony is collected in a book by several authors about Escrivá, "Así le vieron", a book that gathers testimonies about the founder of Opus Dei (source [ES]). In 1991, he consecrated Luis Gleisner Wobbe, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Giovanni Cheli (†2013)
President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants (1989-1998). Born in Italy. Participated in the blessing of the statue of Escrivá installed outside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 2005 [Ref-2005-001].

Angelo Comastri
President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro (architectural and artistic management of the Basilica) (2013-2018). Born in Italy. Participated in the blessing of the statue of Escrivá installed outside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 2005 [Ref-2005-001].

Josip Bozanić
Archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia. In 2011, he concelebrated Mass with Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei (source [ES]).

Giacomo Biffi (†2015)
Archbishop of Bologna (1984-2003), Italy. In 1997, he concelebrated Mass with Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei (source [ES]).

Aloysius Ambrozic (†2011)
Archbishop of Toronto (1990-2006), Canada. In 1998, he celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving in the Cathedral of Toronto for the "70th anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei" (source [ES]).

Audrys Bačkis
Archbishop of Vilnius (1991-2013), Lithuania. In 2008, he celebrated "a solemn Mass to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei" (source [ES]).

Fiorenzo Angelini (†2014)
President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (1996-2014). Born in Italy. In 1994, he participated in the solemn funeral Mass for Álvaro del Portillo in the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome [Ref-1994-001].

Edward Cassidy
President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Born in Australia. In 1994, he participated in the solemn funeral Mass for Álvaro del Portillo in the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome [Ref-1994-001].

Ricardo Blázquez Pérez
Archbishop of Valladolid, Spain. He was one of more than 40 bishops (he being, in addition, Cardinal) in Spain who celebrated Masses for the death of Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, in 2016. [Ref-2016-001]

Michele Giordano (†2010)
Archbishop of Naples (1977-2006), Italy. In 2001 he spoke, together with the Minister of Industry and Commerce [of Italy] and other public figures, at a convention entitled "Blessed Josemaria and the Social Doctrine of the Church. Experiences of human and social promotion in the world" which took place at the Teatro della Reggia in Naples (source [ES]).

Giuseppe Bertello
Governor of the Vatican City State. Born in Italy. On April 19, 2017, he ordained as priests 31 faithful of the Prelature of Opus Dei from 16 different countries. The ceremony took place in the Basilica of St. Eugene in Rome (source). The Basilica of St. Eugene, close to the headquarters of Opus Dei and entrusted to them, is of great symbolic importance for Opus Dei (source [ES]).

Péter Erdő
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary. In 2011 he was named "Doctor Honoris Causa" by the University of Navarra by the hand of "The Grand Chancellor of the University and prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría". In that year he was president of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe. (source [ES])

James Aloysius Hickey (†2004)
Archbishop of Washington (1980-2000), District of Columbia. In his own words, "I soon had a great appreciation for... Josemaría. I deepened my interest in his figure and my love for the initiative he had undertaken." (source [ES])

Walter Brandmüller
President of the Roman Curia (1998-2009). Born in Germany. Former member of the advisory board of a journal of the University of Navarra (source).

Carlo Maria Viganò
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States (2011-2016). Born in Italy. While Apostolic Nuncio to the United States he was the main celebrant of a Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington D.C. for the liturgical feast of Escrivá (source). In 2018, Opus Dei acted through Viganò in a media campaign to discredit "Pope" Francis. (source)


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4. BISHOPS MEMBERS OR IN THE OPUS DEI ORBIT

Section 3  |  General Index  |  Section 5

Index of Bishops by Country


The following list is composed of bishops who are in the Opus Dei orbit (sympathizers, supporters, collaborators, protectors...), and may or may not be members of Opus Dei. When their membership in Opus Dei is accredited by any of the sources consulted, it is indicated with the label "Member of Opus Dei" and next to it an abbreviation that refers to the source.


WARNINGS

1. We qualify as "members of Opus Dei" all priests, bishops and cardinals who are members of the "Priestly Society of the Holy Cross", regardless of whether or not they are members of the Prelature (3).

2. The absence of the indication "Member of Opus Dei" in the commentary corresponding to a bishop does not necessarily mean that the bishop is not a member of Opus Dei, but simply that this condition has not been found in the sources consulted.

3. When the bishop's current position is in the Curia or the Vatican, the country taken as reference for this classification is his country of birth. In all other cases, the country of reference is the country where the bishop holds his office.

4. The number of bishops listed under each section/country is not necessarily representative of the actual number of bishops related to Opus Dei in the corresponding country. This is so because of the diversity of the sources used and the diversity of the research effort devoted to each country for the elaboration of this list.


MAIN SOURCES

The main sources that motivate the inclusion of a bishop with the explicit mention of "Member of Opus Dei" are the following:

[F1] - Listed in the article "Priestly Society of the Holy Cross" (Wikipedia in English)

[F2] - Listed in the section dedicated to Opus Dei at catholic-hierarchy.org

[F3] - Listed in the "Members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross" category of Wikipedia in Spanish






Listing of Bishops members or in the orbit of Opus Dei classified by country

Top of Section (Introduction to the Listing of Bishops)

Argentina  |  Australia  |  Austria  |  Belgium  |  Bolivia  |  Brazil  |  CameroonCanada  |  Chile  |  China  |  Colombia  |  Costa Rica  |  Croatia  |  Czech Rep.  |  Dominican Rep.  |  Ecuador  |  El Salvador  |  Estonia  |  Finland  |  France  |  French Guinea  |  Germany  |  Guatemala  |  Honduras  |  Hungary  |  Ireland  |  Italy  |  Ivory Coast  |  Japan  |  Kenya  |  Lebanon  |  Lithuania  |  Luxembourg  |  Mexico  |  Netherlands  |  New Zealand  |  Nicaragua  |  Nigeria  |  Paraguay  |  Peru  |  Philippines  |  Poland  |  Portugal  |  Puerto Rico  |  United Kingdom  |  United Rep. Congo  |  Singapore  |  Spain  |  Sri Lanka  |  Sweden  |  Switzerland  |  Taiwan  |  Trinidad and Tobago  |  Uganda  |  United States  |  Uruguay  |   Venezuela


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Note: For a better overview, we repeat, for each country, the cardinals from the previous section (Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit) corresponding to that country.


Argentina

Countries  |  >>>

Alfonso Delgado Evers
Archbishop of San Juan de Cuyo (2000-2017), Argentina. Doctorate from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Francisco Polti Santillán
Bishop of Santiago del Estero (2006-2013), Argentina. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Hugo Nicolás Barbaro
Bishop of San Roque de Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña, Argentina. He has a degree in Philosophy from the University of Navarra. He was ordained priest in the Shrine of Torreciudad, Spain. He is a member of the commissions of Catechesis and Biblical Pastoral, and of Catholic Education in the Episcopal Conference of Argentina. Member of Opus Dei [F2]


The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Jorge Manuel López

Archbishop Carlos Galán

Bishop Alfonso Delgado

Archbishop Cándido Rubiolo

Bishop José Maria Arancedo


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio - "Francis I" (2013-)

Jorge María Mejía (†2014), Archivist of the Secret Archives of the Vatican.

Juan Carlos Aramburu (†2004), Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1975-1990)

Antonio Quarracino (†1998), Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1990-1998)


Australia

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Richard James Umbers
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia. First priest of Opus Dei to be appointed bishop in Australia. Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Navarra, Spain. Ordained priest by Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, at the Shrine of Torreciudad, Spain. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Anthony Fisher
Archbishop of Sydney, Australia. Consecrated Richard James Umbers, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.

Archbishop Eric D'Arcy
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Edward Bede Clancy (Sydney) (†2014)

Edward Cassidy, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.


Austria

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Klaus Küng
Bishop of Sankt Pölten (2004-2018), Austria. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Bruno Wechner (†1999)
Bishop of Feldkirch (1968-1999), Austria. Consecrated Klaus Küng, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.

Elmar Fischer
Bishop of Feldkirch (2005-2011), Austria. He was consecrated bishop by Klaus Küng, a member of Opus Dei.

Anton Leichtfried
Auxiliary Bishop of Sankt Pölten, Austria. He was consecrated bishop by Klaus Küng, a member of Opus Dei.

Peter Stephan Zurbriggen
Apostolic Nuncio in Austria. Born in Switzerland. Consecrated Philippe Jean-Charles Jourdan, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Viena

Franz Cardinal König (†2004), Archbishop of Viena


Belgium

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Archbishop Moretti, Apostolic Nuncio to Switzerland in 1992
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Bolivia

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Luis Sainz de Hinojosa, Archbishop of La Paz (1987-1996), Bolivia
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Brazil

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Antônio Augusto Dias Duarte
Auxiliary Bishop of Rio de Janeiro. Doctorate from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Rafael Llano Cifuentes (†2007)
Bishop of Nova Friburgo (2004-2010), Rio de Janeiro. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Levi Bonatto
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goiânia, Brazil. He studied Theology and Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. Member of Opus Dei [F2]

Carlos Lema Garcia
Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo, Brazil. Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology in 1987, in Rome, at the Roman Academic Center of Holy Cross, today the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Member of Opus Dei [F2]

Washington Cruz
Archbishop of Goiânia, Brazil. Consecrated Levi Bonatto, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Lucas Moreira Neves (†2002), Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops

Eugênio de Araújo Sales (†2012), Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro

Eusébio Oscar Scheid, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (2001-2009)

Odilo Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo


Cameroon

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Bishop Pierre Tchouanga
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Canada

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The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Auxiliary Bishop Cimichella

Auxiliary Bishop Clément Fecteau


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Paul-Émile Léger (†1991), Archbishop of Montreal

Aloysius Ambrozic (†2011), Archbishop of Toronto


Chile

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Luis Gleisner Wobbe
Auxiliary Bishop of La Serena (2001-2014), Chile. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Juan Ignacio González Errázuriz
Bishop of San Bernardo, Chile. He was ordained a priest by Álvaro del Portillo. He holds a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where he approved his doctoral thesis. He was General Chaplain and professor of Theology and Canon Law at the University of the Andes - a university affiliated with Opus Dei. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Adolfo Rodríguez Vidal (†2003)
Bishop of Los Angeles (1988-1994), Chile. He was ordained a priest in 1948 by Leopoldo Eijo y Garay, Bishop of Madrid-Alcalá, who "played a particularly important role in the life of Opus Dei and its founder" (source [ES]). In 1965 he received a doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Navarra. Between 1958 and 1965 he was Delegate of Opus Dei for several Latin American countries. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Orozimbo Fuenzalida y Fuenzalida
Bishop of San Bernardo (1987-2003), Chile. Consecrated Juan Ignacio González Errázuriz, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.


The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Carlos Oviedo

Bishop Eladio Vicuña

Bishop Polidoro Van der Vlierberghe

Bishop Joaquín Matte

Archbishop Patricio Infante

Auxiliary Bishop Juan Bautista Herrada

Archbishop Francisco de Borja Valenzuela

Archbishop Bernardo Cazzaro

Bishop Rafael de la Barra Tagle

Bishop Alberto Jara

Bishop Miguel Caviedes

Bishop José Cox

Bishop Tomás González


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Juan Francisco Fresno Larraín, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile

Jorge Medina Estévez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (1998-2002)


China

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Stephen Lee Bun-Sang
Bishop of Macao, China. "He is from Opus Dei, studied in Navarra and was ordained [priest] in Shrine of Torreciudad" (source [ES]). Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


The following two bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop John Baptist Wu, Hong Kong

Bishop Domingos Lam, Macao


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong


Colombia

<<<  |  Countries  |  >>>

Ugo Puccini Banfi
Bishop of Santa Marta, Colombia. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Germán Villa Gaviria (†1992)
Archbishop of Barranquilla (1969-1987), Colombia. Consecrated Ugo Puccini Banfi, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.


The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Pedro Rubiano Sáenz, president of the Colombian Episcopal Conference in 1992

Archbishop Paolo Romeo, Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia in 1992.

Bishop Mario Escobar

Archbishop Félix Maria Torres

Bishop Ugo Puccini

Bishop José Gabriel Calderón

Bishop Hernando Rojas

Archbishop Hector Rueda Hernandez

Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Prada

Alfonso Uribe Jaramillo

Auxiliary Bishop Rigoberto Corredor Bermúdez


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Alfonso Lopez Trujillo (†2008), President of the Pontifical Council for the Family

Darío Castrillón Hoyos (†2018), President of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei".


Costa Rica

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Archbishop Pier Giacomo De Nicolò, Apostolic Nuncio to Costa Rica in 1992
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year. [Ref-1992-001]


Croatia

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Josip Bozanić, Archbishop of Zagreb


Czech Rep.

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Auxiliary Bishop Frantisek Radkovsky
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Dominican Rep.

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo (1981-2016)


Ecuador

<<<  |  Countries  |  >>>

Antonio Arregui Yarza
Archbishop of Guayaquil (2003-2015), Ecuador. Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Juan Ignacio Larrea Holguín (†2006)
Archbishop of Guayaquil (1989-2003), Ecuador. First member of the Opus Dei prelature in Ecuador. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil has promoted his canonization (source [ES]). Vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Ecuador in 1992. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


The following six bishops of Ecuador were consecrated bishops by Antonio Arregui Yarza, a member of Opus Dei:

Marcos Aurelio Pérez Caicedo
Archbishop of Cuenca

Valter Dario Maggi
Archbishop of Ibarra (2011-2018)

Aníbal Nieto Guerra
Bishop of San Jacinto

Bertram Víctor Wick Enzler
Bishop of Santo Domingo

Guido Iván Minda Chalá
Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil

Giovanni Battista Piccioli
Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil


The following two bishops of Ecuador were consecrated bishops by Juan Ignacio Larrea Holguín, a member of Opus Dei:

Victor Manuel Maldonado Barreno
Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil

Olindo Natale Spagnolo Martellozzo (†2008)
Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil (1990-2001)


The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Episcopal Conference of Ecuador in 1992

Bishop Cisneros, Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Ecuador in 1992.

Archbishop Francesco Canalini, Apostolic Nuncio to Ecuador in 1992.

Auxiliary Bishop Luis E. Orellana

Bishop Mario Ruiz

Bishop Raul Vela

Bishop Cándido Rada


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Antonio José González Zumárraga (†2008), Archbishop of Quito

Pablo Muñoz Vega (†1994), Archbishop of Quito


El Salvador

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Fernando Sáenz Lacalle
Archbishop of San Salvador (1995-2008), El Salvador. In 1997, as apostolic administrator of the Military Ordinariate, he was promoted to brigadier general of the Armed Forces of El Salvador. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


The following five bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Arturo Rivera Damas, President of the Bishops' Conference of El Salvador

Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chávez

Bishop Romeo Tobar Astorga

Bishop José Antonio Almandoz

Bishop Marco René Revelo


Estonia

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Philippe Jean-Charles Jourdan
Bishop. Apostolic Administrator of Estonia. He studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. He was consecrated bishop by Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


Finland

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Bishop Paul Verschuren
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


France

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The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Bernard Panafieu

Archbishop Robert Coffy

Bishop Jean Dardel


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture (1988-2007)

Jean-Marie Lustiger (Paris) (†2007)

Renato Raffaele Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2002-2009)

Roger Etchegaray (†2019), Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals (2005-2019)

Mario Tagliaferri (†1999), Archbishop, Apostolic Nuncio to France


French Guinea

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments


Germany

<<<  |  Countries  |  >>>

The following five bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Lajos Kada, Apostolic Nuncio to Germany in 1992

Auxiliary Bishop Gerhard Pieschl

Bishop Reinhard Lettmann

Bishop Klaus Hemmerle

Archbishop Josef Stimpfle


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Cardenal Joseph Ratzinger - "Benedict XVI" (2005-2013)

Josef Frings (†1978), Archbishop of Colonia

Joachim Meisner (Colonia) (†2017)

Leo Scheffczyck (Colonia) (†2005)

Johannes Joachim Degenhardt (†2002), Archbishop of Paderborn.

Walter Brandmüller, President of the Curia Romana (1998-2009)


Guatemala

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The following five bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Próspero Penados del Barrio

Bishop Rodolfo Quezada Toruño

Bishop Angélico Melotto

Bishop Eduardo Fuentes

Bishop Oscar García Urizar


Honduras

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The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Héctor Enrique Santos, President of the Episcopal Conference of Honduras in 1992.

Archbishop Luigi Conti, Apostolic Nuncio to Honduras in 1992.

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Andrés Rodríguez


Hungary

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

László Pacifik Paskai (Budapest) (†2015)

Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest


Ireland

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The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Bishop Jeremiah Newman

Archbishop Desmond Connell

Archbishop Michael Smith


Italy

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Giuseppe Costanzo
Archbishop emeritus of Syracuse, Italy. He has spoken publicly and favorably about the canonization of Escrivá [Ref-2002-003].

Giovanni Tonucci
Prelate of (the territorial prelature of) Loreto, Italy. He consecrated Anthony Muheria, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).


The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Serafino Sprovieri

Archbishop Francesco Toppi

Bishop Nicola Comparone


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Sebastiano Baggio (†1993), Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Federico Tedeschini (†1959), Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica

Romolo Carboni (†1999), Apostolic Nuncio to Italy

Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals

Sergio Sebastiani, President of the Prefecture of Economy of the Holy See (1997-2008)

Camillo Ruini, Vicar General of Rome (1991-2008)

Crescenzio Sepe, Archbishop of Naples (1991-2008)

Michele Giordano (†2010), Archbishop of Naples (1977-2006)

Silvio Angelo Pio Oddi (b. 2001), President of the Congregation for the Clergy

Agostino Vallini, Vicar General of Rome (2008-2017)

Dionigi Tettamanzi (†2017), Archbishop of Milan

Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence

Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See (2009-2013)

Giovanni Cheli (†2013), President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants

Angelo Comastri, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro (2013-2018)

Giacomo Biffi (†2015), Archbishop of Bologna

Fiorenzo Angelini (†2014), President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers

Giuseppe Bertello, Governor of the Vatican City State


Ivory Coast

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Bernard Agré (†2014), Archbishop of Abidjan


Japan

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Paul Toshihiro Sakai
Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Archbishop Kaname Shimamoto, President of the Bishops' Conference of Japan in 1992
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka


Kenya

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Anthony Muheria
Archbishop of Nyeri. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


The following four bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Clemene Faccani, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Kenya in 1992

Bishop Tiberius Charles Mugendi

Bishop Colin Davies

Bishop Silas S. Njiru


Lebanon

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Ignace Moussa I Daoud (†2012), Patriarch of Antioch

Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir (Bkerké) (†2019)


Lithuania

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Audrys Bačkis, Archbishop of Vilnius (1991-2013)


Luxembourg

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Archbishop Fernand Frank
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Mexico

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The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Adolfo Suárez, President of the Mexican Bishops' Conference in 1992

Archbishop Girolamo Prigione, Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico in 1992

Auxiliary Bishop Hernández Hurtado

Bishop Luis Rojas Mena

Auxiliary Bishop Benjamín Jiménez

Archbishop Arturo Szymanski

Archbishop Rosendo Huesca

Bishop Alfredo Torres

Bishop Mario de Gasperín

Bishop Humberto Velázquez

Archbishop Ricardo Guízar

Bishop Rafael Muñoz Núñez


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico, Federal District


Netherlands

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Bishop Bomers
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Adrianus Johannes Simonis (Utrecht)


New Zealand

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Bishop Edward Gaines
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Nicaragua

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Miguel Obando Bravo (Managua) (†2018)


Nigeria

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Anthony Okonkwo Gbuji
Bishop emeritus of Enugu (Nigeria). He has spoken publicly and favorably about the canonization of Escrivá [Ref-2002-003].


The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Bishop Albert Fashina

Bishop Michael Eneja

Bishop Gregory Ochiaga


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2002-2008)


Paraguay

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Rogelio Livieres (†2015)
Bishop of Ciudad del Este (removed in 2014), Paraguay. He was dismissed in 2014 by Pope Francis, for "serious pastoral reasons" and for "so befitting the Church of Paraguay". He holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the University of Navarra. He was vicar of the Prelature of Opus Dei in Buenos Aires. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Pastor Cuquejo
Archbishop of Asunción (2002-2014), Paraguay. In 2002 he was appointed vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (source). He consecrated Rogelio Ricardo Livieres Plano, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.

José Sebastián Laboa, Nuncio to Paraguay in 1992
In 1992, it celebrated the first liturgical feast (June 26) in honor of Escrivá, who was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year. [Ref-1992-001]


Peru

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Enrique Pèlach (†2007)
Bishop of Abancay (1968-1992), Peru. Born in Spain. Author of many works of Catholic pastoral work in Peru. He arrived in Peru in 1957, along with four other Spanish priests: they were the first to go on mission in the new territorial Territorial Prelature of Yauyos, recently created and entrusted by the Holy See to Opus Dei. He was Vicar General of the Prelature of Opus Dei. Member of Opus Dei [F3]

Isidro Sala Ribera (†2019)
Bishop emeritus of Abancay (1992-2009), Peru. He was consecrated bishop by Bishops Ignacio María de Orbegozo (principal consecrator), Enrique Pèlach and Juan Antonio Ugarte, all three of Opus Dei. Member of Opus Dei (Source [IT])

Mario Busquets Jordá
Bishop-Prefect of Chuquibamba (2001-2015), Peru. Born in Spain. He was consecrated bishop by Luis Sánchez-Moreno (principal consecrator) and Juan Antonio Ugarte (co-consecrator), both of Opus Dei. Member of Opus Dei (Source [IT])

Gabino Miranda Melgarejo
Auxiliary Bishop of Ayacucho (removed in 2013), Peru. In 2013 "he was removed from his position as auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho by the Vatican for pedophilia" (source [ES]). "Cipriani (cardinal, of Opus Dei, archbishop of Lima) showed his discomfort with Miranda's links to Opus Dei and assured that he was not a priest incardinated in that congregation" (source [ES]). The Opus Dei Information Office in Peru was forced to clarify that "Miranda has never been incardinated [incorporated] into the clergy of the Prelature of Opus Dei.... [but was part] of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross" (source [ES]). Member of Opus Dei

Jesús Moliné Labarte/Labarta
Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo (1998-2014), Peru. He was consecrated bishop by Ignacio María Orbegozo of Opus Dei (source). In 2003, in a public ceremony, he paid homage to the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaría Escrivá (source [ES]; date). In 2007, he stated that "I am not a prominent member of Opus Dei, nor do I even form part of that Prelature, which I esteem and value highly" (source [ES]). In 2013, in a public ceremony, he blessed an image of Escrivá (source [ES]).

Alcides Mendoza Castro
Archbishop of Cuzco (1983-2003), Peru. Consecrated Enrique Pélach, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop.

William McDermott (†2013)
Bishop of Huancavélica (1982-2005), Peru. Born in Ireland. He was consecrated bishop by Enrique Pèlach, a member of Opus Dei.

Gilberto Gómez González
Bishop of Abancay, Peru. Born in Spain. He was consecrated bishop by Isidro Sala Ribera, a member of Opus Dei.


The following four bishops of Peru are (the first of them) or have been (the rest) prelates of the Territorial Prelature of Yauyos, entrusted to Opus Dei since its beginning (with Pope Pius XII) (source1 [ES]) (source2):

Ricardo García García
Prelate of Yauyos (2004-), Peru. Bishop. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez
Prelate of Yauyos (1997-2003). Archbishop of Cuzco (2003-2014), Peru. He studied theology at the University of Navarra, Spain. In Peru he formed the first group of professors who started the University of Piura - a university founded on the initiative of Josemaría Escrivá. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Luis Sánchez-Moreno Lira (†2009)
Prelate of Yauyos (1968-1996). Archbishop of Arequipa (1996-2003), Peru. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Ignacio María de Orbegozo y Goicoechea (†1998)
Prelate of Yauyos (1957-1968), Peru. Bishop. Born in Spain. Consecrated bishop Enrique Pèlach, member of Opus Dei (source). Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]


The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Oscar Cantuarias

Archbishop Fernando Vargas


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Archbishop of Lima (1999-2019)

Juan Landázuri Ricketts (†1997), Archbishop of Lima


Philippines

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The following bishops celebrated, in the Philippines, Mass for the feast of Escrivá in 2013, the first occasion of the feast after the 2012 canonization (source):

Paciano Aniceto
Archbishop of San Fernando (1989-2014), Philippines

David William Antonio
Bishop of Ilagan, Philippines

Carlito Joaquin Cenzon (†2019)
Bishop of Baguio (2004-2016), Philippines

Florentino Ferrer Cinense
Bishop of Tarlac (1988-2016), Philippines

John F. Du
Archbishop of Palo, Philippines


The following eight bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Gian Vincenzo Moreni, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines in 1992

Auxiliary Bishop Cornelio de Wit

Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas

Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Rañola

Archbishop Alberto Piamonte

Auxiliary Bishop Salvador Quizon

Bishop Pedro Bantigue

Bishop Celso Guevarra


Cardinals:

Jaime Sin (†2005), Archbishop of Manila


Poland

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła - Pope "John Paul II" (1978-2005) (†2005)

Andrzej Maria Deskur (†2011), President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications

Stanisław Ryłko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (2005-2016)


Portugal

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Serafim de Sousa Ferreira e Silva
Bishop of Leiria-Fatima (1993-2006), Portugal. He has spoken publicly and favorably about the canonization of Escrivá [Ref-2002-003].


The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Maurílio de Gouveia, president of the Episcopal Conference of Portugal in 1992.

Archbishop Luciano Angeloni, Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal in 1992

Bishop Antonio Monteiro


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

José Saraiva Martins, President of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (1998-2008)

Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (2008-2018)

Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary (2012-2013).


Puerto Rico

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Bishop Juan Fremiot Torres Oliver, president of the Episcopal Conference of Puerto Rico in 1992.
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Luis Aponte Martínez (†2012), Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico


United Kingdom

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Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Cormac Murphy-O'Connor (†2017), Archbishop of Westminster, Londres


United Rep. Congo (before: Zaire, 1971-1997)

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Bishop Matondo Kwa Nzambi, president of the Episcopal Conference of Zaire in 1992.
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi (†2007), Archbishop of Kinshasa


Singapore

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Alberto Tricarico, Nuncio to Singapore in 1992
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Spain

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Jaume Pujol Balcells
Archbishop of Tarragona (2004-2019), Spain. D. in Theology from the University of Navarra. He has been professor of Religious Pedagogy at the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru
Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts since 2007. Of Spanish nationality. In 2013 he was elected by Pope Francis coordinator of the commission for the reform of the Institute for the Works of Religion, also known as the Vatican Bank. He has been Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Member of Opus Dei [F2]

Ignacio Carrasco de Paula
President of the Pontifical Academy for Life (2010-2016). Born in Spain. Former professor of bioethics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome and director of the Institute of Bioethics. Member of Opus Dei [F2]

Francisco Gil Hellín
Archbishop of Burgos (2002-2015), Spain. Doctorate in Theology from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F3]

Gabino Díaz Merchán
Archbishop of Oviedo (1969-2002), Spain. President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (1981-1987). Ordained 32 members of Opus Dei to the priesthood (source [ES]).


In Spain, in December 2016, in their respective headquarters (cathedral in most cases), the following Spanish bishops celebrated Mass for the death of Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei, as part of a common effort involving more than 40 bishops and other priests throughout the country. [Ref-2016-001]

Francisco Javier Martínez, Archbishop of Granada

Juan José Asenjo Pelegrina, Archbishop of Sevilla

Jesús Sanz, Archbishop of Oviedo

Fidel Herráez (Burgos, parish of "St. Josemaría"), Archbishop of Burgos

Celso Morga Iruzubieta, Archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz

Francisco Cerro Chaves, Bishop of Cáceres (2007-1019), Archbishop of Toledo (2019-)

Julián Barrio, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela

Francisco Pérez, Archbishop of Pamplona and Tudela

Adolfo González Montes, Bishop of Almería

Rafael Zornoza Boy, Bishop of Cádiz and Ceuta

Demetrio Fernández González, Bishop of Córdoba

Ginés Ramón García Beltrán, Bishop of Guadix (2010-2018) and Getafe (2018-)

José Vilaplana Blasco, Bishop of Huelva

Amadeo Rodríguez Magro, Bishop of Jaén

José Mazuelos Pérez, Bishop of Jerez de la Frontera

Francisco Cases, Bishop of Islas Canarias

Manuel Sánchez Monge, Bishop of Santander

Ciriaco Benavente, Bishop of Albacete (2006-2018)

Gerardo Melgar, Bishop of Ciudad Real

José María Yanguas, Bishop of Cuenca

Atilano Rodríguez, Bishop of Sigüenza-Guadalajara

Julián López, Bishop of León

Manuel Herrero, Bishop of Palencia

Carlos López Hernández, Bishop of Salamanca

César Franco, Bishop of Segovia

Francesc Pardo, Bishop of Girona

Romà Casanova, Bishop of Vic

Salvador Giménez Valls, Bishop of Lleida

Josep Àngel Saiz, Bishop of Tarrasa

Jesús Fernández, Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago de Compostela

Luis Ángel de las Heras, Bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol

Leonardo Lemos, Bishop of Orense

Luis Quinteiro, Bishop of Tui-Vigo

Carlos Escribano, Bishop of Logroño

Juan Antonio Reig, Bishop of Alcalá de Henares

Joaquín López de Andújar, Bishop of Getafe (2004-2018)

José Manuel Lorca, Bishop of Cartagena

Antonio Aznárez, Auxiliary Bishop of Pamplona and Tudela

Mario Iceta, Bishop of Bilbao

Juan Carlos Elizalde, Bishop of Vitoria

Jesús Murgui, Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante

Casimiro López, Bishop of Segorbe-Castellón


The following cardinals also participated in the event (included in the Cardinals section):

Ricardo Blázquez, Archbishop of Valladolid, Cardinal since 2015

Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal since 2017

Carlos Osoro, Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal since 2016

Antonio Cañizares, Archbishop of Valencia, Cardinal since 2006


And, unrelated to the previous event, other cardinals:

Spanish Cardinals from the Cardinal Members section:

Julián Herranz Casado, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (1994-2007)

Spanish Cardinals from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section:

Leopoldo Eijo y Garay (†1963), Bishop of Madrid-Alcalá

Lluís Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona (2004-2015)

Ángel Suquía Goicoechea (†2006), Archbishop of Madrid

Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid (1994-2014)

Francisco Álvarez Martínez, Archbishop of Toledo (1995-2002)

Marcelo González Martín (†2004), Archbishop of Toledo (1971-1995)

Santos Abril y Castelló, Archpriest of the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor (2011-2016).

Juan Ricote Alonso (†19729), Bishop of Teruel


Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka Cardinals from the Cardinal Members section:
Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Cardinals from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section:
Nicholas Marcus Fernando (†2020), Archbishop of Colombo


Sweden

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Bishop Hubertus Brandenburg
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Switzerland

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The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: (source)

Auxiliary Bishop Augustinus L. Kindler

Auxiliary Bishop Amédée Grab

Bishop Wolfgang Haas


Taiwan

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Archbishop Stanislaus Luokuang
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


Trinidad and Tobago

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The following bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: (source)

Archbishop Anthony Pantin

Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro, Pro-Nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago in 1992


Uganda

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Archbishop Emmanuel Wamala
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year [Ref-1992-001].


United States

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Robert Finn
Bishop of Kansas City (until his resignation in 2015), Missouri. He resigned in 2015 after he was convicted of failing to report suspected child abuse in connection with Father Shawn Ratigan. (source) Member of Opus Dei [F1]

John Barres
Bishop of Rockville Centre, New York. D. from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. Member of Opus Dei [F1]

José Horacio Gómez Velasco
Archbishop of Los Angeles, California. D. from the University of Navarra. Fortune magazine included him in the list of the 50 most influential Latinos in the United States. He was ordained a priest of Opus Dei by Cardinal Franz König at the Shrine of Torreciudad. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

John J. Myers
Archbishop of Newark (until he resigned in 2016), New Jersey. His resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on November 7, 2016. Although the usual form of address for an archbishop is "Your Excellency", he preferred to be called "Your Grace". In 2002, he was among the two-thirds of sitting bishops and diocesan administrators whom the Dallas Morning News found to have allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to continue working. In February 2014, the New York Times reported that the archbishop planned to retire to a "palace" being expanded to 700 square meters at his home in Pittstown, New Jersey. Member of Opus Dei [F1]

Charles Joseph Cahput
Archbishop of Philadelphia (2011-2020), Pennsylvania. He consecrated José Horacio Gómez, a member of Opus Dei, as bishop (source).

Edward William O'Rourke (†1999)
Bishop of Peoria, Illinois. Consecrated John J. Myers, a member of Opus Dei, a bishop (source).

Richard Garth Henning
Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, New York. He was consecrated bishop by John Barres, a member of Opus Dei.


The following seven U.S. bishops were consecrated bishops by José Horacio Gómez, a member of Opus Dei:

Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San José, California

Joseph Vincent Brennan, Bishop of Fresno, California

Robert Barron, Bishop of Los Ángeles, California

David Gerard O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Ángeles, California

Marc Vincent Trudeau, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Ángeles, California

Alejandro D. Aclan, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Ángeles, California

Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, California
In 2004 he celebrated Mass for the liturgical feast of Escrivá (June 26) [Ref-1992-001]


The following five U.S. bishops were consecrated bishops by John J. Myers, a member of Opus Dei:

Edgar Moreira da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River, Massachusetts. Born in Brasil.

Gaetano Aldo Donato (†2015), Auxiliary Bishop of Newark (2004-2015), New Jersey

John Walter Flesey, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark (2004-2017), New Jersey

Manuel Aurelio Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, New Jersery. Born in Cuba.

James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey.
Rector of the Pontifical College of North America in Rome (2005-2016).


In the United States, the bishops listed below celebrated Mass(es) for Escrivá's feast day (June 26) in one of these years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Gustavo García-Siller, Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas

Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Archbishop, Permanent Observer to the United Nations

William Edward Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, Maryland

Joseph Anthony Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston, Texas

Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, California

William Francis Murphy, Archbishop Emeritus of Rockville Centre, Nueva York

Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona

Walter James Edyvean, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Boston, Massachusetts

John Gregory Kelly, Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas, Texas

Robert Joseph Cunningham, Bishop of Siracusa, Nueva York

James Vann Johnston, Jr., Bishop of Kansas City - San José, Missouri

Michael Fors Olson, Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas

Thomas John Joseph Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

Gabriel Montalvo Higuera (†2006), Apostolic Nuncio emeritus to the United States

Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, District of Columbia

Gerald Thomas Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva York

Salvatore Ronald Matano, Bishop of Rochester, Nueva York

George Arthur Sheltz, Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas

John Joseph O'Hara, Auxiliary Bishop of New York

Andrew Harmon Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of San Pablo and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Edward Bernard Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, Nueva York

John Douglas Deshotel, Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana

Joseph Nathaniel Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Illinois

Lee Anthony Piché, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mark Joseph Seitz, Bishop of El Paso, Texas


The following three bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Auxiliary Bishop Olivier, Washington

Auxiliary Bishop Kenneth Angell, Rhode Island

Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Mc Grath, San Francisco


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Francis George (†2015), Archbishop of Chicago

James Francis Stafford, Archbishop of Denver (1986-1996), Colorado

Bernard Francis Law (†2017), Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts

Sean Patrick O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts

James Aloysius Hickey (†2004), Archbishop of Washington, District of Columbia (1980-2000)

Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, District of Columbia (2000-2006)

Donald William Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, District of Columbia (2006-2019)

Edward Egan (†2015), Archbishop of Nueva York

Daniel Nicholas DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas

Kevin Joseph Farrell, Bishop of Dallas, Texas

Raymond Leo Burke, Archbishop of San Luis (2003-2013), Missouri

Justin Francis Rigali, Archbishop of Filadelfia (2003-2011), Pensilvania


Uruguay

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Jaime Rafael Fuentes Martín
Titular Bishop of Minas (2010-2020), Uruguay. In 1973 he received his doctorate in theology from the University of Navarra. Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Archbishop José Gottardi
In June 1992, he celebrated the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá, after Escrivá having been declared "Blessed" in May of the same year. [Ref-1992-001]


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

Rodolfo Wirz, Bishop of Maldonado-Punta del Este


Venezuela

<<<  |  Countries

Francisco de Guruceaga Iturriza (†2012)
Bishop of La Guaira (1973-2001), Venezuela. He resigned in 2001. "In 1996, de Guruceaga suspended Diaz's priestly license (suspected of abusing boys) for 20 years. Fearing a scandal for the church, the bishop (Guruceaga) never took the allegations to the criminal authorities" (source). Member of Opus Dei [F1] [F2]

Fernando José Castro Aguayo
Bishop of Margarita, Venezuela. Studied theology at the "Studium Generale" of the Prelature of Opus Dei in Venezuela and at the College of the Holy Cross in Rome. D. in theology from the University of Navarra, Spain. Member of Opus Dei [F2]


The following eight bishops celebrated, in June 1992, the first liturgical feast dedicated to Escrivá after he was declared "Blessed" in May of the same year: [Ref-1992-001]

Archbishop Ovidio Pérez Morales, president of the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela in 1992

Archbishop Medardo Luzardo

Archbishop Baltazar Porras

Archbishop Alfredo Rodríguez

Archbishop Crisanto Mata Cova

Bishop César Ortega Herrera

Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Herrera Riera

Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Figueroa Medina


Cardinals (from the Cardinals in the Opus Dei orbit section):

José Humberto Quintero (†1984), Archbishop of Caracas (1960-1980)

Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas (2005-2018)


Back to Index of Bishops by Country

Back to General Index





5. PRIESTS MEMBERS OF OPUS DEI

Section 4  |  General Index  |  Section 6


Note:

The list originally published in this section had a residual value (less than 30 priests, almost all from Spain) when compared to the lists of Cardinals and Bishops provided above. We omit said list in this English edition (June 2023 revision), but the interested reader can still access it in Spanish.

In the Introduction of the present document, under the subsection "General Figures", the reader can find the overall figures of priests that Opus Dei gave to the public in 2017 (while taking into account that the figures provided by Opus Dei about its members are not audited by any ecclesiastical or civil entity external to Opus Dei).


Back to General Index






6. SUPPLEMENTARY CLARIFICATIONS

Section 5  |  General Index  |  Section 7

Back to Introduction


1. Are the members of the Priestly Society members of Opus Dei?

The broad sense of the term "Opus Dei" (i.e., dispensing with the legalistic language according to which "Opus Dei" would be only the Prelature) is the reason why:

In the present document, we qualify as "members of Opus Dei" all priests, bishops and cardinal members of the "Priestly Society of the Holy Cross".

Which is backed up by themselves when they say that:

"The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is also Opus Dei, so that diocesan priests who ascribe to it are incorporated into Opus Dei, with the same divine vocation as the others." – 2006 Script for the Catechism classes of the Work (3).


2. Are they all on this list?

We remind the reader of the warning at the beginning of this document:

This list of cardinals, bishops and priests does not pretend to be complete, it is only a significant sample of ecclesiastical members of Opus Dei or in the Opus Dei orbit (sympathizers, supporters, collaborators, protectors...) compiled for the purpose of illustrating the level of penetration and control that Opus Dei has in the Roman Catholic Church, and thus, in the world at large.


3. Are those listed as "related" to Opus Dei not members?

In addition to the limitation of the sources used, there is the fact that "discretion" is an operating principle of Opus Dei. Therefore, it is to be expected that an undetermined number of the cardinals, bishops or priests on this list are actually more than just sympathizers:

(a) They could be members of Opus Dei without our having found the fact in the sources consulted.

(b) They could be undeclared members of Opus Dei (i.e., they do not make themselves known publicly).

(c) They could have a level of commitment to Opus Dei or a spirit of filiation towards "Father" Escrivá as high as if they were officially members.


4. Are expressions of sympathy for Opus Dei really that important?

A sign of affinity from a bishop or cardinal towards Opus Dei (or towards the figure of Escrivá, which is the same thing) should not be taken lightly. The importance of this can be illustrated by the following parallel:

Just as an honest bishop, in order not to cause scandal or confusion, will avoid visiting a site of alleged Apparitions of the Virgin Mary if he is not fully convinced of their authenticity, so too an honest bishop or cardinal who is not convinced of the holiness of Josemaría Escrivá and his work will carefully avoid showing sympathy in public for Opus Dei or its founder.

Considering that Opus Dei is subject to very serious and servere criticism —up to the point of being accused of going against the principles of Christianity— (4), any public display of sympathy on the part of an ecclesiastic is a form of gratuitous collaboration with Opus Dei's purposes, by mobilizing in its favor the opinion of the disoriented faithful who seek answers to the polemics about Opus Dei.


Back to General Index





7. NOTES

Section 6  |  General Index  |  Section 8

Back to Introduction


(1) Diocesan priests: of the common hierarchy of the Church and dependent on the bishop of their diocese. The typical diocesan priest is the one in charge of a parish (the "parish priest").

(2) According to an informative document on the official Opus Dei website, in 2017 there were 2083 priests incardinated in the Prelature, out of 92,600 members of the Prelature; thus, they were 2.25% of the Prelature's membership. According to the same document, in 2017 there were 1900 "priest members of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross incardinated in their dioceses", which, added to the 2083 "priests incardinated in the Prelature" add up to 3983 priest members of the Priestly Society.

(3) Related citations:


(a) The 2006 Script for the Catechism classes of the Work, point 1.2.1-e, states that "The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is also Opus Dei, so that diocesan priests who are attached to it are incorporated into Opus Dei, with the same divine vocation as others."

(b) The corresponding article 100 of the 2003 Catechism of Opus Dei puts it in these words: "The Priestly Society of the Holy Cross is an intrinsic and inseparable association of the Prelature; because its members have received the same divine vocation - equal for all in the Work - in order to seek their sanctification in the exercise of their ordinary work - the priestly ministry - according to the spirit and ascetic praxis of Opus Dei."

(c) According to the official Opus Dei website, "The vocation of priests incardinated in the various dioceses is, as far as Opus Dei is concerned - to be of Opus Dei and to do Opus Dei in the world - the same as that of the lay faithful."


(4) For more information, see An index of documents on the Opus Dei sect.





8. SOME NUMBERED SOURCES

Section 7  |  General Index

Back to Introduction


The following are some references that are used multiple times in the listings of this document:

Ref-1992-001
romana.org 1992 Celebrazione della festa liturgica del Beato Josemaría Escrivá (orig. link)

Ref-1994-001
romana.org 1994 Un plebiscito di riconoscenza e di affetto (orig. link)

Ref-2016-001
opusdei.org 2016 Misas en España por el prelado del Opus Dei

Ref-2002-001
romana.org 2002 Eucharistic celebrations throughout the world (orig. link)

Ref-2002-002
romana.org 2002 October 8 and 9. Thanksgiving Masses (orig. link)

Ref-2002-003
opusdei.org 2002 Cardenales y obispos hablan sobre la canonización de Josemaría Escrivá (orig. link)

Ref-2005-001
romana.org 2005 A Statue of St. Josemaria at St. Peter's Basilica (orig. link)


Sites common to related references

The following are some sites worth noting as they appear many times in the references used in this document:

Wikipedia in English - en.wikipedia.org

Wikipedia in Spanish - es.wikipedia.org

Opus Dei official site - opusdei.org

Opus Dei bulletin - romana.org/en

The Wayback Machine - web.archive.org

The Vaticane - vatican.va

The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church - catholic-hierarchy.org





WARNING

The M+G+R Foundation is not affiliated or linked in any way to Opus Dei or its related organizations.

Once again, we remind you of the Terms of Use of the information published on this site.






Related Documents

Who Is Who in Opus Dei On a Worldwide Scale

Some Universities, Institutions and Centers Openly Associated to Opus Dei On a Wordwide Scale

A Case Study on Religious Fanaticism and Brainwashing

Index of Opus Dei related documents within The M+G+R Foundation domain



En Español:  Lista de Cardenales, Obispos y Sacerdotes afines al Opus Dei

Originally published in Spanish on August 7, 2017 • Published in English on August 29, 2017 (Martyrdom of John the Baptist) • Format updated June 4, 2023 (Holy Trinity Sunday) • Last updated September 2, 2023


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