by Robert Duncan

I've been outed. I guess it's no real surprise. At least, I don't think it's a surprise, given that most people that know me, know my dark secret ...

For those of you that have read a certain book on a certain sinister cult, you might have come across my name associated in said book, and in particular my old website Santificarnos.

Such is fate, however, that just when I have a website mentioned in a book, I no longer run that site - I was wondering why I was still getting hits there. Now I know. Thanks John Allen.

Anyway, in the last chapter of Allen's latest book "Opus Dei: Secrets and Power Inside the Catholic Church," there is a section about ways that Opus Dei can improve toward the future. Interestingly enough, in Allen's opinion, the Santificarnos website served as an example of something positive that Opus Dei should do.

Let me quote from Allen's book. Opus Dei members, and especially supernumeraries, need to realize that whether they like it or not, they are the ambassadors for Opus Dei in their social and professional environments.

Well, I have to stop right there, since I do believe that this is a valid point...valid to the point such that it is a constant subject.

I never stop hearing about this. In fact, that is the essense of Opus Dei. Sanctifying one's work, and sanctifying the world. An Opus Dei member that doesn't realize that, probably doesn't fully understand their vocation. So I think in that respect, Allen is mentioning a good point, but it is something that is constantly being done.

But what Allen really means, I think is something a bit different, as noted in the continuing section (maybe he needed a better transition sentence): They should volunteer to speak about Opus Dei in parish council meetings, at Catholic schools and universities, and in any other setting where people might be able to ask questions and get things out in the open. Again, the point is not to seek publicity for Opus Dei, or to have individual members arrogate to themselves the right to speak in the name of Opus Dei.

Again, valid points, which does kind of crash against the need to be secretive...sorry just joking. In seriousness though, there is a fine line between being discreet and not saying anything. On the other hand, if somebody wants to know, all they have to do is ask. That's the policy that I have seen, and tried to mirror.

Allen then goes on to give an example of how members can use the internet "to speak of their own experience, and in so doing help put a face on this group that most people know only through the media or watercooler gossip."

And as two examples, Allen provides Matt Collins' wonderful website - Trust the Truth - and my now defunct Santificarnos website (I could swear that I told Allen that I merged most of the content of that site).

Allen says that "such initiatives could be multiplied, and not just in cyberspace, assuaging public concerns about transparency and helping to create a different image of Opus Dei.

Interesting stuff.

And now, that I've written this I must be off to finish my latest hitman course, as well as giving a class to lower level members on the secret art of make-up and disguise prior to our secret trip to Paris ...