A barbed metal cilice worn by an Opus Dei numerary. (Four Corners: Nick Wiggins)Opus Dei's ultra-conservative teachings have also garnered controversy, even among Catholics.

DiNicola was once a member of Opus Dei, where lay members strive for holiness in everyday life through strict adherence to the Roman Catholic Church's teachings, at work and at home.

The accusations are serious: within Opus Dei there is allegedly a pressing recruitment of adolescent boys, some of whom are encouraged to practice 'painful' acts of 'physical mortification' and to ...

Opus Dei said use of the cilice and discipline by minors “used to happen in the past”, but it was “surprised” by claims that the practice was ongoing.

Opus Dei, an ultra religious Catholic institution, ... By the time she turned 16, she had been given a cilice—a spiked chain used for self-punishment—and a whip.

Opus Dei is a conservative Catholic institution which was founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá in 1928. It now has a presence in over 60 countries.

Almost since Opus Dei was founded in 1928 in pre-Franco Spain, the conservative Catholic group has been described as a "shadowy," "secretive," "cult-like" "sect." Every few years that image, which ...

For its part, Opus Dei presents itself as a predominantly lay organisation, with some clergy, which emphasises the pursuit of personal holiness in lived, day-to-day life. Nothing to see there ...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Montage of two women and a rosaryDozens of former Opus Dei members have accused the group of recruiting ...