with the w business beyond. ah, opus day is among the most powerful organizations within the catholic church. extremely well connected in the vatican endorsed by former popes and fit by former members. simmons as before about the bay or you're done. if it is, i'd call it an authoritarian organization within the catholic church, even more authoritarian than the church itself because she's the head of open day in germany. rarely gives interviews, but he made an exception for this report. he emphasized the groups christian values distinctive advances are posty, the primary importance of opus de lies in the wonderful may edge of how to live every day with love and mercy, as a christian boon from hath skirts. who wished oak knows christ, opus de founder, jose maria s. grava was revered as the st. during his lifetime. he aligned himself with powerful people, especially in spain. the groups german branch also seeks close contact to politicians and church leaders such as cardinal rhina, maria ver key. cologne's controversial archbishop. traditionally media shy opus day, was forced into the spotlight by dan brown's best seller. the da vinci code and the subsequent film. the group was portrayed as bloodthirsty and ruthless. but where is the line between miss and reality is open day, a catholic cult that endangers members and a free society? or is the personal prelate. you're nothing more than another pious institution. fighting to keep an ever decreasing number of believers in the fold. ah pamplona. the capital of the northern spanish region of nevada. this is where opus day began its ascension. ah, the catholic church paid a leading role in the lives of many in this rural region. ground here was fertile for a new devout group like opus day in 1928, a young priest, jose maria, escrow vot is struck by what he calls divine inspiration. he founds open day in english work of god. his mission christian eyes, the wild things moved slowly and fast, but the spanish civil war marks a turning point, opus day and nevada politicians support general francisco franco. after his victory, the general shows his appreciation law off way. law only god has the token of gratitude, nevada, a was permitted to maintain its own tax system or obese de benefited financially by citing with franco, with another reason why the group settled here went escreen. eva was asked why he chose in nevada. wonderful. he said it was god's plan, as if god had pointed his finger here for read up on $1.01 a little, and a letter. the deal with a fascist leader, francisco franco pays off for gaunt deletes, as they call themselves. members of the group hold key economic and political positions. they use their powerful rows to open spain, up to tourism, and liberalize the economy. in the early 19 sixty's of finance minister associated with opus day becomes head of the bank of spain. government loans, flow to companies tied to the group, spain's government, and opus de remain intertwined even now. education, justice, and presumably, banking us, still under its influence. how we turn to anna as answer a philosophy lecturer and form a long time, opus day member didn't. and i boy, this banga, oh boy, day has retained so much power because there was never a true break from the countries past. don't fiddle, which would have been critical for our social progression. or sorry they'd it's like we put on a fresh coat of paint after franco's deb lydon. but spain's core foundation and structures remained intact as well. no one was held accountable for young people to day. no. next to nothing about the dictatorship, they got the subject is taboo, and a lot of it is covered up on my you know, one is brave enough to self reflect and analyze edna law. it will likely go on like this for the next century or yes, is there any? there was interest in daniel's brought him in. beth anna as answer, has insight into the inner workings of opus day. she was part of the group for 19 years. one of about $90000.00 members globally, members in north and south america make up about a 3rd of that total. there are roughly 10000 members in africa, asia, australia, and oceana. combined. spain is open day, strongest base with about 35000 members. another 4000 darren italy and in germany about 600 clergy and lay persons in 1945 opus de starts expanding from spain to portugal and italy then to germany, france and england. it later establishes centers in north and south america to day that our members in 90 countries, including africa and eastern europe. opus day is structured around strict hierarchies. only men are allowed to join at 1st, though women as soon allowed to prelate fernando carries. now hence, the group, about 2 percent of its members are priests about 10 percent or so called numerous who live in opus de centers separated by gender and committed to celibacy. they are supported by assistant numerous women who cook and clean and the facilities. the largest group, other supernumeraries who follow the values of opus day, but are allowed to marry and lead private lives. the german branch of opus day is based in cologne. it's long been supported by the archdiocese of cologne, previously by cardinal york, him meisner then by his successor, cardinal vold k. not every one approves that this close relationship. this priest from the archdiocese spoke to us on the condition of anonymity to avoid facing repercussions. current is, i know that i st. jude susan decker to alone is one of the richest diocese in germany and world wide current. that's why cologne has become an attractive destination for ultra conservative catholic groups that emerged in the 20th century . zia attractive gone over steel bas de unit legionnaires of christ, the neo cat acumen away, and others have found their way here thus unfair to storms. they have been welcomed by the bishops and are readily subordinate loudon von haines. of con, savannah guiana districts this priest and other ministers have their reasons for not wanting to openly criticize opus day. decoy. now, cleo was described additional you'd. asa swansea was on national mia, clergy, and catholic committee here in cologne. are a special case for her. i've always been struck by how fearful the bishop are of an open conflict with open day. again, all i think is were shouting, what do you have to lose for li, unavailable? it's not as if a bishop will be an interrupt of his title for criticizing or was day that the fear is real, that we are. what fuels this fear is it justified? after persistent requests, christoph bullcrap agreed to an interview. he's been the head of opus day in germany for more than 25 years. the regional vicar is pleased with the groups growing popularity. the tried combination to hear about us and to listen to this. the speaker for the shops world wide ask are prelate in rome to open branches of opus de everywhere, a combination that we can't keep up with the demand since undergone. so in the last few decades of centers have sprung up all across eastern europe to the saw that us demit today, in our case, membership is growing gradually. your the primary importance of open day lies and the wonderful message of how to live you to spend every day in love and mercy. as a christian, st. ford in o perked, and o turk and libra from half the sugar to which stoughton was christ, love and mercy. so why is there so much fear surrounding opus day? bolcom doesn't understand either. we continue to probe. what does the group actually want? internal writings mentioned the sanctification of daily life and christine ising society. what does that look like in practice? can i to haile initially sanctify, daily life? and in doing work with christian values is a good concept. got to see the notion that christianity is not only limited to a religious service or a pious exercise in church. and instead is connected to society and life outside the church. which i believe the intuition. there is a good one warden and there were others before opus day, da thought eventually more latest notions, the pursuit of power and certain ecclesiastical goes, emerged. that's a clear thread throughout opus days. history does come on and that's when chris denies nation of society and sanctification. of work and daily life you take on a different meaning from law. man, i'm not so much luck. former opus de members rarely recount christian values. many talk of bullying and insistence on obedience. we spoke with another former member who asked to remain anonymous. slave to close wishlist then and and, and so i was or else. good. so i wanted to become a nurse salisbury long. i moved out of my whole life. and during my training i tried out various things added. obviously that's how i got to know is on and felt a vocational school here in cologne. and i initially had no idea it was related to the church das thus fun. akira shiver. desiccant s few spare time. delighted before i realized that later, 1st the people befriend you, amanda, and slowly you're shown around that. now look, i love the house has a chapel from the church duncan, they watch your reaction. yeah. how you react into whether or not you show interest . and i thought it was great, a secular organization, and i found it totally fantastic. if i was ecstatic or pies, i started trying to convert every one around me. i to him, i am constantly high, so miss didn't young. like other religious groups, opus de focuses on recruiting young people who can attract more members as i'd like to zoom. right. so vince, but we were supposed to find more people who had the calling. he course we took a so in course at the adult education center i to fit not to learn to. so to find people we could invite to the center. that was the goals these now i see through at all that before i thought it was great. i was enchanted, if i would have given my life for them too. many new members feel a great deal of pressure to perform. not delivering, causes trouble, does who possess my lips from the controller, as all the opus de thrives on control. what do you mean pressuring people to follow all his rules and punishing them if they don't? when it comes to the faith? there's a, there's a sir. i pressure to excels, but don't yell, opus de puts an emphasis both on economic success law. and the idea that faith is a kind of measurable performance. you always come up short, you always feel you're not doing enough. also a means of applying pressure and domination. does this help? i middle took us to one hash of those deep marsh armies. sir, was an adolescent when he was recruited by overs day. he stayed for 9 years. he founded a platform for former members after leaving ain't that survey. so the grant funds was off involved as long as emerges, meet, keyed to makes them one of the reasons behind the platform was that former members at 1st feel very guilty. did you promise to do something but didn't on, on a open day approach as people without saying who it is and what it wants is hand, it acts like a cold and some critical areas in his head. the candidate is shown emotion home and is courted. there can be done, but when they actually join the trap is sprung into order to his bag. the tone changes silence and every thing is demanded of them in the system. as the founder said, we strip him down to his shirt, oregon. i don't. this cleaned us, we had seen the nose piece of saint lou. common charo knows this from personal experience. she was only 12 when she was courted by the opus day youth clop. durant, the vision running at the ending of the yellow thieving. i was a shy girl, you vocal lonely and not a good student in the top is how can you it up on thought horsey. my father always made me feel stupid name. every one welcomed me warmly at the open. j youth club. fancy, we played guitar. i felt accepted. yeah, one bundle and little by little they got me to the point where i signed up for the cake gallery of me. i'm petition under water calories to run it. but i still realised that i was not really suited for a life and hope his day. i felt him present for there to be either, but whenever i wanted to leave, they pressured me. you can't do that. my malaita, the god will never forgive you that you'll pay for it all your life. this isn't the things like that. i had little self confidence if and i didn't know where to go, but i'm not willing. so i was easy, pray for them and they caught me again and again. and then you know, i have leverage enough. i feel, but i can that we meet antonio escape. yes. in madrid, he was a priest in overstay for 30 years. then he quit married and started a new life. mm. you know, he does. she has federal law. everything is planned in over his day. the alarm clock rings just after 6, which means get out of bed, kissed the floor, and se sevien or i will serve god and opus day. then it's time for a cold shower. warm water is prohibited. then praying the rosary and mass. after assisting with breakfast, pray again than work, and in the evening in turn, a reflection alone and once awake. with this sent his spiritual director, blissful thought over the s a life of rules and renunciation. only approved books, no movies, no theater. it's really a parallel universe. you're not allowed to watch a soccer game or drive your own car where and whenever you place you have to give you a car key to the director. and the money you earn is tightly controlled. you get a small amount for the basics, but even then you have to track your expenses and account for every subway ticket at the end of the month. and if you want to buy a new pair of pants, he can't just go to a store. you have to ask the director 1st to panel, no line that's definitely not the philosophy of opus de founder. jose maria, as grava can be read in his book camino in english. the way he wrote your duty is to be an instrument obey as an instrument obeys in the hand of the artist, not stopping to consider the reasons for what it is doing. abeyance duties, rules bands for members. recall how their frustrations gradually mounted can still go voicing. can you obey? that's it. that's usually the 1st question so that you can be molded more than only deal with a father and other lead. i tell you, i fata with elijah die doesn't give ivan ah, you haven't. okay. he never stood 10 minutes. a to move was he does boost bump mit say be stay my have to momento is from my time in over day. a villas does this metal chain with the 2 to 3 millimeter things. mike's, i'm over saying, can you wear it with the spikes digging into your thigh and sit on a stone for 2 hours every day to the optus of the do ones desires, thus is. and this is the penitential scourge to slow it's braided, but you feel the facts if you give it a swiss elijah con. they did lucy woman seemed other means of finance or the cold shower for the father in the morning and sleeping on the floor. twice a week, her numer aries can't sleep on mattresses, out of principle hearin, most unprincipled. all ne motus laughing and dan get dressed as there is also the practice of resting your head on a phone book instead of a pillow. when you sleep ship, i'd sometimes have a stiff neck captain. i eventually resented our game. i thought this kathy consti signed suffering and sleepless nights. for the head of opus day in germany, it comes back to pious tradition. does give to monica. she tried to snow skis or the motor teresa puck that she had turkey pup salons, po, there's a tradition of asceticism in the church that mother teresa practice. look to that you hope john paul practice mc. let many others practice these 2 tunes analysis. it's not about self harm. good dears, it something people to they may not understand them. hong, it's about the following. the lord for the who suffered who was crucified of who was whipped and clena in it, serves as a little reminder, is can, it must be good for our body. the, our body is a part of our being sense asceticism, as part of christian lives. it at so how people follow that is up to them is for the remainder of christ sufferings as an exercise of faith. critics asked capitol if it isn't a ra, extremely violent fantasies behind it, and it's extremely harmful physically with, although that's always dismounted. and the idea that keeping his evil body in her against inflicting harm is a form of following christ, who bore the cross and with which one, cuz that's very difficult for me to understand spiritually. gus, at least the music did it. when was the actually are as a scripture in guns and cut? there's a very long tradition of massage in me too, and physical harm throughout the history of catholicism and christianity alive, but specifically hostility towards women. but in opus day, a lot of catholic teaching is what all catholics are supposed to believe is taken to the extreme, not really long. so that's really what was no math dish bits of between ah, how a conservative groups like opus de perceived within the catholic church. an interview request to with cardinal bulky, was rejected. 2 men from bull case in a circle, a closely linked to opus day. mark was hoffman, his former vicar general, and right hand man is a member of the priestly society of the holy cross. and organisation inextricably tied to opus day. the suspended auxiliary bishop, domenico strouder lamp, is also linked to the group. whether or not opus day is trying to influence bulky is disputed, the archdiocese rejects the idea. vulgar insists he is not a member of opus day and is not closer to this group than any other. some asbestos claim mussman vis does all this day has been entrenched in the archdiocese of cologne for a very long time. cutting it didn't begin under carding ave till, nor under like his predecessor meisner. nobody but my snow was the one who strengthened and supported the group thought i'd had isn't. there are several very powerful high ranking and influential people in the clergy in the archdiocese of colonial who are supporters and members and sympathizes of opus day. and vocal is most certainly under their influence over the main idea here is you can't build the archbishop of cologne and have a blessed day against you. that's just not possible. i'm sure it's 2 influential and cologne to significant clone grains. it's crucial, opus days, importance and the archdiocese of cologne is especially evident in the church of saint pantano leon. in 1987, it was entrusted to the priests of opus day, giving up his day its own church in cologne. this your sister, so dear brothers, today we remember the bless at bishop alva whole, cedric and visual over hope again. done. carnival k preached here as did his predecessors, who, if not in meisner, transferring the parish to opus de sparked outrage at the time de gore to town. delightful rodney, may i take a mini in the parish? maybe even the majority were against it, between members of the parish council resigned to mind, some were transferred to other parishes. it's what meanwhile, opus de mendez came here and expanded the parish, and he had is a good mind. the edge questioned how spout theologian peter handle is an expert on opus day. sy tullison foot border these a cache mich as all posterior mind, bite him perhaps this church was singled out during po, vanity, the 16th visit in 2005. the i'd as an open day parish, hung evasion at the time. it was the only church in cologne, chosen by the pope for a meeting. trevor, it's clearly an important churches and an central to open day in german. agentless sher zach via kish intent on this opacity detract. opus day can be found in many powerful institutions. for example, in the european central bank, open day member, louis de kin dos his vice president at the european court of human rights in strasburg, spanish judge, maria eliza gay, is reportedly linked to opus day to i said, that's the tv to sculpus is. so it was not truly shavone the perspective of this day. this