A thrilling exposé revealing how Opus Dei — a secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic sect — pushed its radical agenda within the Church and around the globe, using billions of dollars siphoned from one of Europe’s largest banks.
For over half a century, Banco Popular was one of the most profitable banks in the world — until one day in 2017, when the Spanish bank suddenly collapsed overnight. When Gareth Gore was dispatched to report on the story, he uncovered one of the most brazen cases of corporate pillaging in history, perpetrated by a group of men sworn to celibacy and self-flagellation.
Drawing on unparalleled access to bank records, insider accounts, and exclusive interviews with whistleblowers from within Opus Dei, Gore reveals how money from the bank was used to lure unsuspecting recruits — some of them only children — into a life of servitude. He also tracks the ascent of Opus Dei around the globe, exposing its role in bankrolling many right-wing causes, including the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
In Opus, Gore tells a shocking story of money and power that spans decades and continents. Documenting Opus Dei’s secret history for the first time, this thrilling work of investigative storytelling raises important questions about the dark forces that shape our society.
About the Author :
Gareth Gore is a financial journalist and editor with close to two decades of experience, having reported from over 25 countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories. His writing has been published by Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, and International Financing Review. He is the host of The Syndicate, which tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the biggest financial deals in history.
Review :
‘Opus is a genuine exposé, a fluid, authoritative account backed up by more than 100 pages of footnotes. It seeks to lift the veil on an organisation whose secrecy — and outward image of piety and impecuniousness — masks, according to Gore, a litany of exploitative practices, opaque money and clandestine political influence operations that has, so far, culminated in the Trumpist takeover of the US Supreme Court … Gareth Gore has done a great service in putting all this material in the public domain in such a digestible format.’
‘Opus reads like a thriller except that every twist of the plot is backed up with terrifyingly real evidence. In this hard-hitting, groundbreaking investigation, Gore shows that the scandal is much worse than you thought. This is a story about financial corruption, psychological abuse, human exploitation, and above all, a major threat to democracy in the U.S. and around the world.’
‘Even as stories have trickled out about the corrupt financing schemes that have enabled Opus Dei to groom vulnerable adolescents for abusive service on a global scale, no one has exposed as fully as Gareth Gore the menace to democracy posed by its growing stable of political partners like the US Supreme Court kingmaker Leonard Leo. A harrowing tale of sanctimony in the service of subversion that makes for urgent reading.’
‘In Opus, investigative journalist Gareth Gore uncovers the clandestine operations of Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic sect that covertly siphoned billions from Banco Popular, one of the world’s most profitable banks, to expand their influence. Gore’s access to confidential records and insider accounts reveals a shocking conspiracy of financial and moral corruption, including the indoctrination of vulnerable recruits and the sect’s hidden role in shaping right-wing agendas. This compelling exposé uncovers a decades-long global deception, challenging our understanding of power and secrecy in modern society.’
‘With meticulous investigative research and breathtaking writing, Gareth Gore uncovers the shocking origins of a powerful far-right religious sect that for decades has worked in the shadows to impose its version of conservative Christianity on society. I came away with a fuller picture of the rise of Christian nationalism globally, and a more complete understanding of what’s at stake in America’s coming election.’ Mike Hixenbaugh, author of They Came for the Schools
‘For decades, Opus Dei has served as a hidden hand, corrupting businesses, exploiting women, and working to impose its controversial minority beliefs on an unsuspecting US public. Gareth Gore has done a remarkable job in shining a bright light on its machinations and abuses, from its origins in proto-fascist Spain to its current standard-bearers Bill Barr and Leonard Leo.’
‘Under Gore's skillful research readers will learn about a 100-year-old organisation that was designed to impose its view of religion and the world on everyone. Never has “follow the money” been so important. Gore lays out, in meticulous detail, how Opus Dei, whose members are known as “numeraries” and “supernumeraries”, recruit young men who are wealthy, come from wealthy families, or are destined to become wealthy … The wealthy Americans that Gore references in this book, and their relationship to Opus Dei, provides readers with a wealth-based roadmap that exposes the serious threat this organisation poses to the country.’
‘A deeply disturbing and important book which will interest and concern anyone who believes in that blessed trinity of modern democracy — openness, transparency and accountability.
‘Gareth Gore's investigation into Opus Dei reveals a powerful and shadowy organisation whose reach extends into politics, religion, and finance … Vividly told and excellently researched.’
‘Abuse, enslavement, and financial schemes are the stock in trade of the shadowy Catholic sect Opus Dei, according to this chilling debut exposé … Gore’s most alarming line of inquiry is into Opus Dei’s political influence in Washington, DC, via the Catholic Information Center and the Federalist Society. Readers will be disturbed.’
‘Moving with the suspenseful twists and turns of a political thriller, this well-documented book reveals the hidden agendas and intrigue that belie institutional structures in a post-truth world. Unsettling, informative reading.’
‘A new, deeply researched book.’
‘Gareth Gore’s new book, Opus is quite frankly shocking. It’s also a much-needed exposé of what looks very much like a cult within the Catholic Church. … it’s clear from Gore’s own detailed notes and the extensive hours he spent interviewing both members and former members that financial and political scandal has dogged the movement since its very beginning … In 14 chapters, Gore lays out the details that he found, telling the extraordinary story of a small Spanish sect that, with the help of the Franco regime, quickly learned how to excel in financial and political corruption.’
‘In identifying Opus Dei’s part in the Christian Nationalist movement, Gore has done a public service.’
‘One of the strengths of Opus is how Gore situates Opus Dei’s political machinations within the Vatican … Opus is a thoroughly researched, accessible and readable account of its activities and what is in store for the world if it achieves its ambitions. Gareth Gore has done a major service in bringing its operation into the light of day.’
‘Opus, written by the financial journalist Gareth Gore, is a solidly researched work and will undoubtedly survive the public-relations, and even legal, blitz that Opus Dei will surely mount against it.’
‘Gore’s book lays out claims the organisation is at the heart of a conspiracy involving child grooming, human trafficking, and psychological and emotional control … Gore’s book also sheds light on the inner workings of Opus Dei. Its most religious members … Every element of their life is strictly controlled and manipulated by the group’s leader and senior priests, Gore said.’
