Women who say they were tricked into servitude for Opus Dei to meet in Argentina

"Forty-three women in Argentina say they were lured to Opus Dei schools as children and teenagers under promises of receiving an education. Instead, they say they were forced into working up to 12-hour days, cooking and cleaning for the elite male members, without pay. They say they faced extreme levels of control, with their letters censored, family visits discouraged, and the reading of anything other than children's books or religious texts banned."

"After hearing the women's testimonies, federal prosecutors in Argentina launched an investigation, accusing senior leaders of Opus Dei in South America of overseeing the exploitation and trafficking of girls, adolescents and women between 1972 and 2015. Sebastian Sal, the lawyer representing the 43 women in the trafficking case, said the case had been held up in recent months because two witnesses, who are part of Opus Dei, have delayed their testimonies."

"Although the Holy See has not formally responded to the complaint, it is believed to have contributed to Pope Francis's decision in 2022 to revise Opus Dei's standing and curtail some of its long-held privileges. The Vatican, under Pope Leo, is reviewing revised statutes for Opus Dei. A source with knowledge of the case, who asked not to be named to speak freely about the conference, said Leo encouraged the organisers to hold the event."

Buenos Aires will host the first international gathering of former Opus Dei members who allege they were tricked and trafficked into domestic servitude as minors. Forty-three women say they were lured to Opus Dei schools with promises of education but forced to work up to 12-hour days cooking and cleaning for elite male members without pay. The women report censored correspondence, discouraged family visits, and restrictions on reading material. Argentine federal prosecutors opened an investigation accusing senior Opus Dei leaders of overseeing exploitation and trafficking between 1972 and 2015. The Vatican is reviewing revised statutes and sources say Pope Leo privately urged the conference.

Read at www.theguardian.com