GERARD RYAN,
Sir, - Paddy Agnew's preview of the canonisation of the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaria Escrivá (Weekend, October 5th), made a gratuitous reference to the Church of Scientology.
For the record: the Church of Scientology is not a Christian denomination in any way, shape or form. No Scientologist is required to be celibate or to lead an ascetic lifestyle. Gender is simply not an issue to Scientologists and indeed much of the hierarchy of the Church of Scientology is female.
Whilst the personal aims of individual Scientologists include the attainment of total spiritual freedom, the collective aim of Scientology is to build a civilisation on earth without war, crime or insanity. To this end Scientologists engage directly with society, including social reform activities in the field of penal reform, drug rehabilitation, mental health reform, and literacy promotion programmes. The above is not Opus Dei, which, I understand, is focused purely on living the message of the Christian Gospels, in its own fashion.
Any members of Opus Dei encountered by this writer have been extremely law-abiding, spiritually minded and decent individuals. And yet they regularly get a roasting in the fourth estate. As recent revelations among the "pillars" of Irish society indicate, we need more honest, law-abiding, civic-minded citizens - whatever their religious beliefs - and if Opus Dei (or any other religious group) assists in that achievement they should be applauded, not vilified. - Yours, etc.,
GERARD RYAN, Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.