Your gift counts double until 5/31: $20,109 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

French woman files involuntary-labor charges against Opus Dei

CWN - June 29, 2011

A French woman has brought suit against leaders of Opus Dei, charging that she was essentially held in servitude against her will at a school run by members of the group.

The woman, identified only as Catherine T., claims that she was forced to take vows as a member of Opus Dei, to work for the school, and to surrender her wages. She says that she continued working for the school for 13 years because she was brainwashed.

The case is scheduled to come before a Paris court in September. Representatives of the University and Technical Culture Association, where Catherine T. lived and worked, deny that she was mistreated and express confidence that her charges will be dismissed.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($20,109 to go):
$80,000.00 $59,891.45
25% 75%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 1 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: jmoore20082145 - Jun. 29, 2011 6:38 PM ET USA

    There is so much that is wrong in the claim in the link given! The most glaring is - "She said the group compelled her to take vows of obedience, poverty and chastity". It is only religious that take those vows. Opus Dei is not a religious order. Never has been. Never will be. Just from that statement alone, I would disbelieve the entire claim.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Revealing News, and Revealing Christ 18 hours ago
The Russell Ford problem 18 hours ago
Fr. Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly: Your Letter May Help May 24
The Rise and Fall of the (American?) Church May 23
The Ideal of Pope Francis: the Servant Church May 23

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8