Project 2025 and Opus Dei

By The Remnant Herald

The world has been noticing the astonishing pace at which the second Trump administration has proceeded with its agenda. Historic announcements on the future of Gaza and Ukraine; the end of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs within the federal government; the swiftness in rounding up undocumented migrants to deport them from the United States; the official proclamation of the American government that only two genders will be recognized (male and female)—these are some of the measures that have already impacted American society and the global discourse.

A large part of Donald Trump’s policy procedures are in line with Project 2025, a 900-page manifesto composed by the Heritage Foundation (one of the most influential conservative think tanks in America, established in 1973). Since 1981, when this organization delivered its Mandate for Leadership manifesto to President Ronald Reagan (60% of which he implemented within the first twelve months of his administration—The First Year, p. 1. The Heritage Foundation. Washington, D.C. 1981), America has experienced a religious-political combination that is using power at the highest levels to influence the direction of the entire nation.

The religious element infusing Heritage Foundation cannot be ignored. Its present leader, Kevin Roberts, is receiving ongoing spiritual advice from Opus Dei, categorized by the establishment press as a “radical Christian group” (The New Republic, July 26, 2024, Washington, D.C.). It is a Roman Catholic lay order founded almost 100 years ago by Monsignor José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer in Spain. It has attracted many thousands of Roman Catholics from diverse backgrounds who are deeply involved in politics, finance, media, and the like.

Dr. Raoul Dederen (who represented the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the World Council of Churches’ “Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry” conference in Lima, Peru, in January 1982) wrote the following that underscores the power of Opus Dei:

“What is Opus Dei? What does it stand for? It has been variously called ‘white masonry,’ ‘the Roman Catholic Mafia,’ or the ‘Fifth Column of God,’ among other things … Detractors of Opus Dei [in Spain] often call it ‘Octopus Dei,’ with reference to the alleged takeover of huge segments of Spanish banking, industry, public works, journalism, and university faculties…

“[Monsignor José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer] has done something that finds its parallel only in the achievements four hundred years earlier of another Spaniard, Ignatius de Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Opus Dei could very well continue to grow and become a worldwide movement whereby ordinary individuals, spiritually trained, could bring about a revolution that would further the cause of the Catholic Church.” Ministry, July 1976.

The influence of Opus Dei has been such that Pope John Paul II incorporated this order into the Catholic Church as a “personal prelature” (part of the Church’s canonical structure) in 1982 and canonized its founder as a saint in 2002. In 1984, Time magazine reported on the status, influence, and activities of Opus Dei, appraising it with an evaluation regarding its theological ethos, which is still newsworthy even today:

“Since its founding in 1928, Opus Dei (Latin for Work of God) has become one of the most influential, controversial, and mysterious movements in Roman Catholicism … a zealously orthodox network of 74,000 lay Catholics and 1,200 priests spread across 40 nations [now 90]…

“A 1979 Opus Dei memo reported that members around the world work, among other things, in 487 universities and schools, 694 newspapers or periodicals, 52 TV or radio stations, 38 publicity agencies, and twelve film companies…

“There are three categories within Opus Dei. The leaders are the university-educated ‘numeraries,’ about 30% of the total membership, who make commitments to life-long celibacy and obedience, turn over their secular incomes, live in communities, and take all the courses needed to be priests, although few are ordained. ‘Associates’ (20%) are celibate but do not live in communities and do advanced theological study. ‘Supernumeraries’ (50%) are not celibate and follow modified commitments. Each category contains roughly equal numbers of men and women. There are also 700,000 ‘cooperators,’ like 1972 [Democratic] Vice-Presidential nominee Sargent Shriver [brother-in-law to US President John F., Robert, and Edward Kennedy], who are not members but sympathizers. Co-operators need not be Catholics or even Christians, a radical concept when Escriva instituted it in 1950…

“Despite the controversy that surrounds Opus Dei, there is agreement, inside the group and out, that an air of doctrinal conservatism pervades the organization. Says Rolf Thomas, a member of the men’s General Council: ‘We are among the most committed defenders of the notion that undeniable truth exists. Doctrine is not. debatable, and when doubts arise over what is binding truth, the final word is the Pope’s and not some theologian’s.’” Time, June 11, 1984. New York City, New York.

This is the papal mindset that the current director of the Heritage Foundation is receiving continuously from Opus Dei as he counsels the Trump Administration to pursue a more religiously influenced political agenda. Whilst some measures have merit in redressing the extreme socialist/godless narrative that has dominated the West in recent times, the influence of the Church in directing the affairs of the State is leading the two-horned lamb-like beast of Revelation 13 down a path which shall ultimately lead to persecution against those who refuse to comply with the Sunday Law.

The conventional news media reported last year on the ongoing relationship between the director of the Heritage Foundation and Opus Dei, the character of the spiritual nurture being imparted by Opus Dei, and the quiet but persistent manner in which Opus Dei seeks to enter within the innermost circle of American politics:

“[Kevin Roberts] has close ties and receives regular spiritual guidance from an Opus Dei-led center in Washington, D.C., a hub of activity for the radical and secretive Catholic group. Roberts acknowledged in a speech last September [2023] that—for years—he has visited the Catholic Information Center … on a weekly basis for Mass and ‘formation,’ or religious guidance…

”Gareth Gore, the author of a forthcoming book on Opus Dei, called the Catholic organization ’a political project shrouded in a veil of spirituality.’ The group’s founder—José Maria Escrivá—saw his followers as part of a ‘rising militia,’ Gore said, who were seeking to ‘enter the battle against the enemies of Christ.’ Like Project 2025, Opus Dei at its core is a reactionary stand against the progressive drift of society,’ Gore said. ‘For decades now, the organization has thrown its resources at penetrating Washington’s political and legal elite—and finally seems to have succeeded through its close association with men like Kevin Roberts and Leonardo Leo [co-chairman of the American Federalist Society].’” Website of The Guardian (London, United Kingdom): Kevin Roberts, Architect of Project 2025, Has Close Ties to Radical Catholic Group, Opus Dei. July 26, 2024.

It is highly significant that Opus Dei, like the Jesuits, sees itself and operates as a religious militia (army); practices “spiritual formation” within the framework of Catholic mysticism; performs “self-mortification, which, for Opus Dei, includes “brief sessions of self-flagellation with long braided strings and periods of wearing a type of cilice, a barbed metal band, on the upper thigh” (Time, June 11, 1984); and demands total loyalty, unquestioning obedience, and complete conformity to the Order and its superiors. This one sentence from a supernumerary, Russell Shaw, public affairs secretary of the United States Catholic Conference in 1984, sums up the unswerving commitment of Opus Dei, the Jesuits, and every other order of Catholicism: “If you’re not committed 100%, you’re in the wrong outfit” (Time, June 11, 1984). Thus Rome, having many bands of well-disciplined, thoroughly trained disciples, unites with evangelical Protestants to further shape the political, social, and religious spirit of America, which will ripen to its ultimate objective: the implementation of Sunday as a day of rest. It is imperative for Seventh-day Adventists to be awake to these momentous times. Prophecy is on the march!

About The Remnant Herald: The Remnant Herald is an Australian publication produced by Remnant Ministries. The current editor and author is Elvis Placer, and we have reproduced this article with his permission. You can contact Elvis Placer through email at rh1844@pm.me or call the office clerk at +61 3 9706 2173 to request a FREE subscription to The Remnant Herald.