Personal freedom

The Work has an exclusively supernatural aim. That is why the personal freedom of each of its members is part of its spirit; and that is also why we do not exclude from our work anyone, any soul who wishes to come and share our endeavours, even if they do not share our faith.

Unity: a common denominator

As you well know, no absolutism is possible within our spiritual family; every precaution is taken to avoid that danger, by making our governance collegial. However, within Opus Dei, in the fundamentals, there will be no splitting into factions, there will be no “opinions” of any kind; we are consummati in unum (John 17:23). We have a small common denominator, which is the teaching of the Church and, within it, the spirit that characterises the Work and our specific way of doing apostolate in the middle of the world, seeking our own sanctity and that of everyone around us.

Diversity: a very large numerator, a sea without shores

There is also a very broad numerator, a sea without shores, always in keeping with the time and the place, in which differing opinions are and always will be a proof of good spirit, as a clear sign that in Opus Dei there are neither tyrants nor slaves.

The Lord has given us the light to understand something which is clear from the history of mankind: a man who has been enslaved generally becomes a despot afterwards. However, in the Work, there is order. There has to be order; if not, our Opus Dei could not be an instrument for serving souls, serving the Church, or being faithful to the Pope’s Magisterium.

Unorganised organisation

But this order, lived with extreme, voluntary docility and freedom, is – I think you will understand me – unorganised organisation. That is why, I repeat, in temporal and theological matters which are not defined as being of faith, different opinions are admitted and respected, as a healthy manifestation of a good spirit.