OPUS DEl SIR,—Your correspondent Mr. R. A. P. Stork sug-
gests that I gave an inaccurate impression of the Opus Dei in my article on Spain.
Naturally I accept his denial that his association 'is limited to the professional classes.' 1 never-said it was—I said it had great power and influence among these classes. Nor did I say it was secret. I used the admittedly inelegant adjective 'semi-secret' to try to convey an impression of that extreme discretion which I have found from investigation and personal experience pervades the life of the society. Although Sr. Ullastres and his colleagues in the Government make no secret of their membership, I would instance the fact that even some of those immediately asso- ciated with a particular hostel the Opus Dei runs in this country have been kept in the dark about which of the residents were and which were not members of the organisation.
I also feel he is being rather too academic in his use of words when he denies his association is a re- ligious order. My observations suggest the Opus Dei has more characteristics of an order than sonic other bodies that juridically are religious orders.
greatly admire the personal qualities of Sr. Ullastres and his associates in Spain and the ideals of Richard Stork and others of my friends of the Opus Dei in Britain, but I cannot change my views about the organisation's principles as practised.
10 Northampton Park, N1 HUGH O'Sl I 1UGI INESSY
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