Salt + Light Television is a Canadian Catholic television network, which broadcasts a variety of programming, including original documentaries. Salt + Light is endorsed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; it has no affiliation with Opus Dei. The following text is a description of their documentary on Opus Dei, taken from www.saltandlighttv.org .
The Da Vinci Code has been an international sensation. Dan Brown’s Novel has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and caused a firestorm with its outlandish claim that ‘everything you have ever been told about Christianity is a lie.’ It has now been transformed into a Hollywood blockbuster film starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. While all of Christianity is fair game, The Da Vinci Code paints a particularly dark portrait of Opus Dei, one of the more dynamic and polarizing new institutions in the Catholic Church. From a murdering albino monk to a crafty power thirsty bishop Opus Dei in the novel is portrayed as a powerful cult-like group, repressive of women and hell-bent on its own secret agenda.
In this new documentary producer David Naglieri unveils the real face of Opus Dei. Featuring interviews with Opus Dei leaders in the United States and Canada, Vatican Affairs expert John Allen, who recently authored the book Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church, Catholic commentator Michael Higgins, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and others this documentary traces many of the myths and misunderstandings about Opus Dei and their place in the Church and society.
Decoding God’s Work profiles Opus Dei run programs The Midtown Center in Chicago and the Rosedale Achievement Center in the Bronx, New York. Both programs work with underprivileged minority students providing them the skills and character formation needed for success. They provide a powerful contrast with the image of Opus Dei in the Da Vinci Code.
The documentary also explores corporal mortification, the role of women in “The Work” and rumors that St. Josemaria Escriva’s beatification and canonization were “bought” by Opus Dei. Combining searing personal testimony, an ambitious examination of the exact nature of Opus Dei’s place in the Catholic Church and exclusive archival footage of Escriva. Opus Dei: Decoding God’s Work settles once and for all the debate over what is the real Opus Dei.”
“The mission of Opus Dei is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. It produces not fundamentalists but disciples who are open to the world. It does not harbor secrets, but shouts out from the rooftops the Good News about Jesus Christ, his life, message and Church. Opus Dei is a dynamic witness to the universal call to holiness embraced by the Second Vatican Council.” -- Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., C.E.O, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network.
