Secrecy. The Ireland today and the Ireland of old

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Thursday February 03, 2005 01:51 by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice Activist.

Secret Societies. Secrets that bind you......Organisations and Professions that have the inherent secrecy that establishes power relations.

Mystery is a nice word. It is a word often associated with Religion but the mystery that awakens my attention is the mystery of an organisation known as Opus Dei

The issue is to the fore in English politics as a Mother, Politician has openly stated her involvement with Opus Dei........Controversy exists........decisions have to be made.

Another occasion, an inadvertent conversation in a hotel lobby with two middle aged women resulted in those revelations about life experiences that evidently made me acceptable recipient of the Opus Dei card with the face of Fr. Jose D'Escriva and his life details. There was an address in Dalkey and I am aware of another Opus Dei centre in Culmullen, near Tara Hill, Co. Meath.

I have tried the Internet and found nothing of note i.e. except for a woman lecturer, Dr. Catherine O'Connor. in UCD who has been suspended - I think it relates to membershio of Opus Dei. There appears to have been pressure on students (who complained to their parents, staff and the Provost). There appears to be nothing stated in the media.....there is an area of secrecy. This person is involved in formative work with students.

A thought.....there are coincidences of niche networks ...... E.g. Minister McDowell and his ife Professor Niamh Brennan could have cross-over connections between Government and say Governance faculty in UCD. This is just an example of a conflict of interest situation that would have mutual advantages for people of a secret society.

The question I want to ask is about an apparently secret organisation and a network that appears to relate to specific categories of people. Once you fall into the select grouping - then privileges exist, for you your children.

Catholic Marriage. The Impact of the Divorce Law in Ireland and what I refer to as 'microwave annulments' given at the expense of the 'vulnerable' .

Has anyone heard of an annulment being granted to a person (without a hearing and representation) at the Marriage Tribunal. Surely, this is in breach of basic human rights.

Can anyone explain why a Tribunal pays no heed to a Decree Nisi and yet omits to correspond or relate to both parties. (I can only assume that their interaction is with the other party who in many cases has had an affair and has children). The sway is the Church wedding and a white dress and Elitism - this concerns me.

Apparently, you can't join this secret organisation......they somehow invite you using the criteria of status and income. It is suggested that the majorities come from the Medical, Legal and Engineering Profession.

This begs the question is their an elitism within the Catholic Church and the chosen few are beneficiaries.

While I was doing some research into Opus Dei, I visited their Dalkey Residence. The house is facing the sea and most probably is worth over 5 million euros. I rang the bell and waited about 5 minutes. A young man called Rory answered the door. Behind him was a priest who was rushing out. My partner stopped him at his car and began a conversation. He reluctant said he worked on the campus at UCD. His name is Fr. O'Hea and to find him on the Campus is like trying to find an honest TD in Dail Eireann. Why all the secrecy?

Can anyone out there enlighten me? My concern is breach of human rights particularly for a vulnerable person in relation to the Opus Dei 'microwave' annulments.

Michelle Clarke

One point I want to add: In the 1980's I recall how thorough and difficult annulment cases were. The questioning was invasive and the period of time elongated. What greatly disturbed me was a radio programme that stated a Fr............(well known) accused of Sexual Abuse worked on these Tribunals.



Separation of Powers is about Checks and Balances.

I note in todays paper Minister McDowell's comment about Canon Law in relation to Equality........The conversation was with former Archbishop Desmond Connell..........Minister McDowell was said to dismiss 'Canon Law' and more like Golf Club rules.

Equality Justice and Law Reform - Where do you stand?


Michelle