Pope meets journalist accusing Opus Dei of abuse and mismanagement
On Monday morning (Mar 16), Holy See officials confirmed that the newly elected Pontiff Leo XIV held an audience with British investigative writer Gareth Gore. During their private meeting, which lasted approximately forty minutes, Mr. Gore presented testimonies from alleged victims to document claims regarding financial misconduct within Opus Dei and its ties in Washington D.C., as well as allegations of spiritual abuse against members since the 1970s.
Key Points
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1Pope Leo XIV held an audience on March 16th to meet investigative journalist Gareth Gore.
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2Gore is the co-author and critic behind his book 'Opus,' which alleges financial misdeeds within Opus Dei since its founding in Spain's Franco era. The author also claims that members of this Catholic group have been subjected to sexual abuse, physical harm by superiors or peers over decades.
Developments
Perspectives
Pope Leo XIV meets on Monday for forty minutes to discuss allegations made by investigative journalist Gareth Gore regarding Opus Dei.
— [Mar 16, 18:51] El papa León XVI se reúne con el autor de un libro sobre investigaciones y denuncias contra la Operación Deseo (El País)Pope Leo XIV met with British journalist Gareth Gore to discuss the author's book 'Opus,' which accuses Opus Dei of financial misdeeds and abuse.
— [Mar 16, 20:45] Pope meets Author Critical Of The Catholic Group Operation Deseo (NCR)Pope Leo XIV met with Gareth Gore to discuss allegations that the prominent religious group has covered up sexual crimes against its members as well financial misdeeds.
— [Mar 16, 20:45] Pope meets author urging investigation of Catholic organization Operation Deseo (Timeslive)"The book is a very serious indictment," says Gareth Gore about the allegations made in his work regarding Opus Dei's financial and spiritual abuse.
— [Mar 16, 20:45] Pope meets Author Critical Of The Catholic Group Operation Deseo (NCR)"The group firmly denies these accusations of sexual crimes against its members as well the cover-up by a prominent religious organization with ties to right-wing politicians in America and other countries."
— [Mar 16, 20:45] Pope meets author urging investigation into Catholic Group Operation Deseo (Timeslive)Pope Leo met with investigative journalist Gareth Gore privately after his 2024 book alleged that Opus Dei covered up sexual and financial crimes, a claim firmly denied by the organization which described the accusations as "twisted facts." During this rare meeting for an ordinary pope to speak directly with media on such serious allegations regarding Catholicism's ties in Peru.