The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers

Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox 

10/12/2024

PLEASE NOTE: 

With the days ticking down to 11/5, learn the deeper stakes in this year's election. Get your copy of Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election today! Choose your format in the book block below. 

The fascist wing of the Roman Catholic Church, amply represented by Opus Dei (and others such as the Legion of Christ), have played a major and expanding role in Washington, D.C. ever since the papacy of JP II that linked up with the far-right CIA of the day to bury liberation theology and base communities operating in South America. 

In an interview with Talia Baroncelli, Matthew Fox traces the links between the fascist wing of the Catholic Church, Opus Dei, American Cardinal Burke, and Steve Bannon, past advisor to the former White House occupant.

Those who stood by the poor, such as Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador who was martyred while saying Mass, were badly treated by Rome. Indeed, one of Archbishop Romero’s close friends, Bishop Casigalida, with whom I spent a week in the Amazon which was essentially his diocese, was silenced by the Vatican of that time for daring to call Romero a saint (Romero has since been canonized under Pope Francis).

I wrote about these goings-on 15 years ago in my book, The Pope’s War, which traces such matters under Ratzinger and JP II and includes a significant chapter on Opus Dei. New Testament scholar Bruce Chilton, who wrote the Foreword to the book, called it “prophetic.”

“No one should comply with an immoral law.” Mural of Monseñor Oscar Romero. Photo by Franco Folini is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Now Gareth Core, a British financial journalist, has released the best book ever written on Opus Dei, with special emphasis on the mighty role they have played in recent American politics: e.g., rendering SCOTUS beyond recognition and a wing for the Republican party. Yes, part of MAGA, which I propose in my new book on the Antichrist, stands for: “Make America Grotesque Again.”

Gore’s book is called Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church. It is 450 pages of solid research and clear storytelling of the takeover of American politics, including of course SCOTUS and the Republican Party by the fascist wing of the Catholic church, which is dead set against Pope Francis. It includes the conversions of Newt Gingrich, former Senator Sam Brownback, Robert Bork, Larry Kudlow, and Laura Ingraham to that peculiar version of Catholicism. Trump players like Bill Barr, Pat Cipollone, and Steve Bannon belong to the same religious club. 

Now vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance should be added to that list of hardline climate deniers and Trump acolytes. If Trump and Vance are elected next month, the Opus Dei wing of the Catholic Church will be one step away from the presidency. 

Pretty scary indeed, considering they already own the unsupreme court and Trump is currently the 

In an interview on RADICALIZED: Truth Survives Podcast, Gareth Gore speaks of his investigation of Opus Dei, their activity in human trafficking and the grooming and funding the election of über-religious-right politicians and judges.

oldest presidential candidate and showing serious mental and physical decline, not to mention his ethical and spiritual ill health. Or, in traditional language, his links to the archetype of the antichrist.

Gore tells the story of how Leonardo Leo led the fight to forbid Obama from nominating a justice for the supreme court because it was “too close to the next election.” Of course, Senator Mitch McConnell was all in on that unprecedented move, but Leo provided the legal ammunition. Later, however, with Trump as president, it was not too late to appoint Judge Barrett, even though the election was already in progress.

Former far-right activist Frank Schaeffer reveals the links between today’s republican political candidates and operatives and Opus Dei.

Leo is a far-right Catholic who barely admits that Pope Francis exists (or his excellent encyclical Laudato Si that defends the rights of Mother Earth and the rights of the poor). He prefers the company and ideology of billionaires like Harlan Crow, sugar daddy to ever-willing Supreme 

Court judges like Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Gore makes clear that Leo is also very chummy with Ginni Thomas.

A fine summary of the book can be found in the New York Magazine by investigative journalist Nina Burleigh. It is called “How Opus Dei Conquered D.C.” (September 19, 2024). Read it and weep. And act. And spread the news of the antichrist in waiting. And get out the vote for alternatives.

See Fox, Trump & MAGA as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election.

And Matthew Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved.

And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.

And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society.
 

Statement of Solidarity with Israel/Palestine.

Banner Image: Tomb of Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva, under the main altar of Santa María de la Paz, the prelatic church of Opus Dei, located in Rome. Wikimedia Commons.

Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field.

Queries for Contemplation

How important is it to know that “Opus Dei conquered D.C.” and the Supreme Court and now has its eyes on congress and the presidency and a willing ally in Trump and his vice-presidential running mate? What are we doing about it?

Recommended Reading

Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election

Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.

For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE. 

To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE. 

To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE.

Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download.

The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved

The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.”   — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II

Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth

Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice.

Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society

Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them. 
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science.  A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics

The Return of Father Sky: A Cosmic Mystery for Kids of All Ages

The second book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series, The Return of Father Sky helps boys and girls to celebrate a new relationship with the masculine by way of Father Sky, whose return excites joy and wonder and possibility that enlarge the soul to welcome others and all creation. Written in a rhyming Dr. Seuss-like style, this full-color, beautifully illustrated book, written by world- renowned theologian Matthew Fox weaves together modern science and classic spirituality in a whimsical, entertaining format to illustrate important truths to readers aged 4 and up. With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet.
"Some stories are blessed with a magical power to change lives and to change the world. Welcome to The Return of Father Sky - a children’s tale for people of all ages. A modern fable that has the power to bless, to inspire, and fill our minds and hearts with

hearts with love."

—Robert Holden, author of Higher Purpose

UPCOMING EVENTS

See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE

MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT. 
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478  
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478

Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org

Creation Spirituality Conversations

Progressive radio host Thom Hartmann interviews Matthew Fox on Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election.

View this post, video, and more on our website

Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox is made possible through the generosity of donors.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!

Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox

FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX:

Did you receive this email from a friend?
You can subscribe to our daily meditations via the opt-in box on the sidebar at DailyMeditationsWithMatthewFox.org