Overview

A thrilling exposé revealing how Opus Dei — a secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic sect — pushed its radical agenda within the Church and around the globe, using billions of dollars siphoned from one of Europe’s largest banks. For over half a century, Banco Popular was one of the most profitable banks in the world — until one day in 2017, when the Spanish bank suddenly collapsed overnight. When Gareth Gore was dispatched to report on the story, he uncovered one of the most brazen cases of corporate pillaging in history, perpetrated by a group of men sworn to celibacy and self-flagellation. Drawing on unparalleled access to bank records, insider accounts, and exclusive interviews with whistleblowers from within Opus Dei, Gore reveals how money from the bank was used to lure unsuspecting recruits — some of them only children — into a life of servitude. He also tracks the ascent of Opus Dei around the globe, exposing its role in bankrolling many right-wing causes, including the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. In Opus, Gore tells a shocking story of money and power that spans decades and continents. Documenting Opus Dei’s secret history for the first time, this thrilling work of investigative storytelling raises important questions about the dark forces that shape our society.

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9781915590060

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Reviews

‘Opus reads like a thriller except that every twist of the plot is backed up with terrifyingly real evidence. In this hard-hitting, groundbreaking investigation, Gore shows that the scandal is much worse than you thought. This is a story about financial corruption, psychological abuse, human exploitation, and above all, a major threat to democracy in the U.S. and around the world.’ -- Katherine Stewart, author of <i>The Power Worshippers</i>

‘Opus reads like a thriller except that every twist of the plot is backed up with terrifyingly real evidence. In this hard-hitting, groundbreaking investigation, Gore shows that the scandal is much worse than you thought. This is a story about financial corruption, psychological abuse, human exploitation, and above all, a major threat to democracy in the U.S. and around the world.’ -- Katherine Stewart, author of <i>The Power Worshippers</i> ‘Even as stories have trickled out about the corrupt financing schemes that have enabled Opus Dei to groom vulnerable adolescents for abusive service on a global scale, no one has exposed as fully as Gareth Gore the menace to democracy posed by its growing stable of political partners like the US Supreme Court kingmaker Leonard Leo. A harrowing tale of sanctimony in the service of subversion that makes for urgent reading.’ -- Nancy MacLean, author of <i>Democracy in Chains:</i> ‘In Opus, investigative journalist Gareth Gore uncovers the clandestine operations of Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic sect that covertly siphoned billions from Banco Popular, one of the world’s most profitable banks, to expand their influence. Gore’s access to confidential records and insider accounts reveals a shocking conspiracy of financial and moral corruption, including the indoctrination of vulnerable recruits and the sect’s hidden role in shaping right-wing agendas. This compelling exposé uncovers a decades-long global deception, challenging our understanding of power and secrecy in modern society.’ -- Bradley Hope, author of <i>Billion Dollar Whale</i> and <i>Blood and Oil</i> ‘With meticulous investigative research and breathtaking writing, Gareth Gore uncovers the shocking origins of a powerful far-right religious sect that for decades has worked in the shadows to impose its version of conservative Christianity on society. I came away with a fuller picture of the rise of Christian nationalism globally, and a more complete understanding of what’s at stake in America’s coming election.’ Mike Hixenbaugh, author of They Came for the Schools -- Mike Hixenbaugh, author of <i>They Came for the Schools</i> ‘For decades, Opus Dei has served as a hidden hand, corrupting businesses, exploiting women, and working to impose its controversial minority beliefs on an unsuspecting US public. Gareth Gore has done a remarkable job in shining a bright light on its machinations and abuses, from its origins in proto-fascist Spain to its current standard-bearers Bill Barr and Leonard Leo.’ -- Anne Nelson, author of <i>Shadow Network</i>

Author Information

Gareth Gore is a financial journalist and editor with close to two decades of experience, having reported from over 25 countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories. His writing has been published by Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, and International Financing Review. He is the host of The Syndicate, which tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the biggest financial deals in history.

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