Catholic organisation Opus Dei in Spain: origin and formation (1928–1975)

Abstract

The article examines the history of the emergence and development of the Catholic organisation Opus Dei. The key stages of its development are determined, the social and political, educational and intra-church activities of Opus Dei members during the Franco period are analysed. Special attention is given to the history of the origin of the organisation, its structure and institutionalisation, its influence on economic policy and education in Spain, as well as obtaining the official standing of Opus Dei in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. The problems of opening the first centers of the organisation, the foundation of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, the formation of legal mechanisms that allowed regulating the activities of Opus Dei are considered. It also examines the economic policy of the Spanish government during the period of the second Francoism, in which the main places were occupied by members of Opus Dei. The economic reforms carried out according to the stabilisation plan (1959) and development plans (1964–1967, 1968–1971, 1972–1973) are analysed.