Opus Dei

Opus Dei is a personal prelature of the Catholic Church founded in Spain on 2 October 1928 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. The prelature states that it helps lay and clerical members pursue holiness through everyday occupations and social responsibilities. The Holy See granted final approval in 1950 under Pope Pius XII. In 1982 Pope John Paul II affirmed its status as a personal prelature through the apostolic constitution Ut sit. Catholic Church leaders have voiced institutional support while the organization remains controversial, having faced multiple allegations of abuse and exploitation by former members.