The Opus Dei in Mexico denied the accusations of labor exploitation and reduction to servitude, as well as trafficking in persons, made by three women who denounced the organization in a report of a local media.
“Opus Dei categorically denies accusations of human trafficking and labor exploitation made in said complaint. At the same time, it reaffirms the commitment to fully collaborate with justice to clarify the facts and resolve the situation fairly and transparently, ”said a statement from the Opus Dei Communication Office in Mexico.
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The article, published by Political animal On January 28, he collects the testimonies of three women who were numerary auxiliaries and who, between 1993 and 2007, would have been “recruited” by Opus Dei (also known as the “work of God” or simply the “work”) with The promise of education and labor opportunities.
“When I had been depressed for many years. I was getting worse and I got to the point that I didn’t want to live anymore. Because although I lived with many people, I felt very alone and I did not feel careful or loved by the work, ”recalled one of the women.
Women denounce that they were subjected to labor exploitation, working without salary in domestic work within the residences of the organization, in addition to receiving physical punishments and being isolated from their families.
An auxiliary number of Opus Dei is a celibate woman who is professionally dedicated to domestic and maintenance work in the centers of the organization, considering this work as her vocation and a half of sanctification.
Opus Dei in Mexico defends itself
The same day of the publication of the report, the Opus Dei Communication Office in Mexico He issued a statement in which he regretted the negative experiences of the complainants and assured that the institution has as a priority “listen and establish a dialogue channel to understand each experience in a particular way.”
However, he clarified that this does not imply accepting the accusations and made several details on the note published because “it presents an unfair decontextualization of the life, work and training that some of the women of Opus Dei received and the vocation they freely choose the numerary auxiliaries ”.
According to Opus Dei data, around 4,000 women in the world have chosen to be numerary auxiliaries “as part of their personal fulfillment.”
“The experience of this way of life is as diverse as the people who, freely and consciously, have decided to live it and testify to it,” said the statement.
Complaints of labor exploitation in Mexico
One of the main accusations in the political animal report is that, on a few occasions, the complainants received payment for their work. One of them said that, after presenting health problems, he was recommended to leave the work.
“I never saw any check, or on money, nor did I know how much I won although they told us that the people we attended paid all the services,” said one of the complainants.
On this, Opus Dei said that “the work of the numerary auxiliaries, such as any other person, has been paid according to their needs and market references. In addition, they have major medical expenses insurance with broad coverage. ”
Given the accusation that minors were recruited as auxiliary number, the organization said that, since 1982, the statutes approved by the Holy See establish that the minimum age to join the prelature is 18 years.
Another international case: the accusations in Argentina
The report also mentions the case of Argentina, where 44 women from different countries in South America have accused Opus Dei of similar things, which led Argentine Federal Justice to impute three priests in an ongoing investigation.
On this, Opus Dei affirmed that the article erroneously presents the existence of an investigation as proof that the events occurred, ignoring “the basic principles of every judicial process.”
The report mentions that Opus Dei has “hotel schools.” However, the statement clarifies that “hotel schools mentioned closed or evolved according to the educational circumstances of the country. Currently, only Jaltepec remains open for women of legal age. ”
He also indicated that the categorization of other schools, such as Montefalco, Yaocalli, Paseo and Palmares, is incorrect, such as training institutions in hospitality and hospitality, since they are actually schools with official validity of primary, secondary and high school education.
All these institutions, according to the statement, have “with the recognition of official validity of Studies (RVOE) granted by the Ministry of Public Education, who approved each of the educational programs.”
Current legal situation in Mexico
Finally, the Political Animal article mentions public complaints against Opus Dei in Mexico. However, the institution said they have no “knowledge of any judicial claim of a labor or criminal type” in the country.
“Currently, we are in a study and listening process to analyze how we can continue to improve the accompaniment of people, including those who have ceased to belong to the work, through a deeper understanding of the personal and unique circumstances in each case,” The statement concluded.
About Opus Dei
The Opus Dei is an institution of the Catholic Church founded on October 2, 1928 by St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. Its main mission is to promote sanctification in everyday life and ordinary work among the faithful Catholics.
As for its current ecclesial structure, Opus Dei is a personal prelature, which means that it has its own jurisdiction, headed by a prelate, but operates in coordination with local dioceses.
The presence of Opus Dei in Mexico began in 1948, when the priest Pedro Casciaro and three numeraries arrived in the country to initiate the apostolic work of the institution. The first center of Opus Dei in Mexico was established in Mexico City in 1949.
Globally, the organization has approximately 93,000 members, of which 57% are women, according to Opus Dei figures.
The Opus Dei Communication Office in Mexico indicated to ACI Press that of 8,000 people who make up the work in Mexico, it is estimated that 5% are numerary auxiliaries.
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.