VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
One of the consequences is the Opus Dei’s strengthened position in the Roman Curia
Giacomo Galeazzi
Vatican City
For centuries, when there were situations of ungovernability in the Curia or delicate internal inquiries to be carried out, clerics turned to the Jesuits or the Dominicans. But now, following the scandals linked to the Vatican’s finances and the leaked document case, the Holy See is relying on Opus Dei. The Vatican has entrusted the presidency of the cardinals’ investigative commission to the right hand man of Opus Dei’s founder and a numerary journalist as head of communications. The hunt for the poison pen letter writer has had the side effect of broadening the sphere of action and bolster the Opus Dei’s presence in the Apostolic Palace. The man in charge of leading the investigations into the Vatican scandals is Julian Herranz, the Pope’s trusted jurist and former president of the dicastery for legislative texts and the Roman Curia’s disciplinary commission. He is also the historic secretary of St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. The Opus Dei recently gained another exemplary figure of faith: Alvaro de Portillo (successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá as head of the Opus Dei) who will soon be beatified when Benedict XVI signs the decree certifying the heroism of his Christian virtues. All that is left is for a miracle of his to be recognised. The Pope received Herranz, De Giorgi and Tomko all together on Saturday 16 June, but the president of the commission, Herranz, had already had the chance to report to the Pope. For some time now, the president of the commission has been known for his proverbial confidentiality, as noted in Sandro Magister’s “Vatican Diary” (an online section of Italian news magazine L’Espresso).” This confidentiality did not hinder him from writing a book of memoirs some years ago, which despite not violating any secrets, contained a great deal of unknown and intriguing information.” The book in question is entitled “Nei dintorni di Gerico” (In Jericho’s environs). The 480 page long volume was published by Opus Dei publishing house Ares, in January 2006, two years after John Paul II had created Herranz as cardinal, allowing him to participate in the conclave which elected Benedict XVI.
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