I read with delight the letter entitled "Please Stop Persecuting Opus Dei" written by Mr. Tony Nathan (CN, April 19).

I wish to make it very clear, at the outset that I am not officially affiliated with Opus Dei in any way, being neither a member, associate, cooperator or whatever. As a "non-member," I have no vested interest in singing the praises of this organization.

Despite my "non-membership," however, I have participated in various Opus Dei activities, retreats, etc., and the views I express in this letter are based on personal observation at such activities.

From my contact with Opus Dei opponents, I understand that they have two chief complaints about the group: (1) their alleged "conservatism," and (2) their alleged '"elitism."

Is Opus Dei (or "the Work," as the group is sometimes referred to) "conservative"? Yes, if by the word, one means that Opus Dei "conserves" and preserves what is good and true in the Church. No, if what is meant is that Opus Dei is old-fashioned and "out of touch" with reality. I would prefer to describe the Work as being orthodox.

What is clear is that Opus Dei is unswervingly and uncompromisingly loyal to the Teaching Authority (the Magisterium) and the Tradition of the Church. What the Catholic Church teaches, Opus Dei teaches.

The doctrines being taught by the Work are the same ones you will find in the Catechism, conciliar documents, encyclicals, Scripture, etc. In my humble opinion, anyone taking issue with Opus Dei teaching is taking issue with Catholic teaching!

As for the alleged "elitism" of Opus Dei, I think that this is an unwarranted and baseless charge. It is true that in the beginning stages of their apostolate, members of the Work engaged in a fair amount of contact work in the university campus (this was, in fact, how I found out about them!).

But the reason why they did this was not because they were "elitist" or "snobbish," but simply because quite a number of the members were themselves studying or working in the university. Therefore, mingling with students was the most natural thing for them to do. This, I understand, is known as "The Apostolate of Friendship."

Every organization has to start somewhere, and the most natural way for it to grow is attract one's friends, contemporaries and peers to the group.

But the ultimate aim of Opus Dei is as catholic and universal as that of Vatican II: Both envisage the sanctification of all souls in accordance with the exhortation of St Paul in 1 Thes 4:3-4: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. ... That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor."

The following little anecdote will show that Opus Dei is not confined to professionals and intellectuals, but is open to all and sundry:

"Silvio (Ospina) belonged to a taxi drivers' cooperative called the 'Brotherhood of Saint Peter', with four hundred and twenty members, all of Whom he invited to the monthly days of recollection at the Los Alcazares High School. So many taxis gathered at the entrance to the school that the Iocal inhabitants thought that Opus Dei was something to do with taxi drivers." (Journey To The Depths of Hope by Jose Luis Olaizota, p. 129)

To use the succinct words of the aforesaid Silvio Ospina, "Opus Dei's for everyone" (ibid).

Most of the time, I hear attacks Iaunched against Opus Dei made by people who have never actually taken the trouble to get to know the organization, its members, activities and spirit.

They "find out" about the "bizarre" practices of this "secretive" group from people who heard from other people who heard from other people etc (in other words, their "knowledge" is based on hearsay and rumors).

The Founder of Opus Dei, Blessed Josemaria Escriva, has some good and practical advice for those of us who are eager to judge and condemn:

"They are doing some pretty dreadful things', you say looking down on them. Do you know them personally? You don't? Then, how can you speak of what you do not know?" (Furrow by Blessed Josemaria Escriva, para. 915)

I am not surprised that Opus Dei is maligned by the media. In the same way that Our Lord was misunderstood and unjustly condemned (cf. John 1:10-11 and Matt 10:25), we should expect the world to think poorly of us as faithful Catholics.

What is surprising (add sad) is that Opus Dei, a group which is characterized by faithful adherence to the Gospel, should be attacked within the bosom of the Church herself!

In the seven years during which I attended Opus Dei classes, formation and so on, I have learn nothing except the distilled wisdom of the Church and the saints. Besides doctrine, I have been taught the importance of Daily Mass, the Holy Rosary, Scripture and spiritual reading, daily meditation, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, spiritual communions, regular Confession, etc.

Conversely, I have not uncovered any "cultic" activities or attempts to "brainwash" me and change me into some kind of automaton!

I wish to conclude with another piece of gentle advice from the Founder:

"Acquire the habit of speaking about everyone and about everything they do in a friendly manner, especially when you are speaking of those who labor in God's service. Whenever that is not possible, keep quiet. Sharp or irritated comment may border on gossip or slander." (Supra., para. 902)

Thank God I encountered Opus Dei early on in my conversion in 1991!