Former Opus Dei Members Gather in Buenos Aires to Allege Servitude as Minors

International Gathering Addresses Allegations of Servitude

Buenos Aires, Argentina – A significant international gathering of former Opus Dei members took place in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The meeting brought together women who allege they were lured into domestic servitude as minors, subjected to unpaid labor, and experienced severe control within the influential Catholic organization. This marks the first international assembly of its kind for individuals making these claims.

The allegations, which span from 1972 to 2015, detail how 43 women in Argentina were reportedly recruited to Opus Dei schools under the guise of receiving an education. Instead, they claim they were compelled to work up to 12-hour days, performing cooking and cleaning duties for elite male members without remuneration. Testimonies describe an environment of extreme control, including censored correspondence, discouraged family visits, and restrictions on reading materials beyond children's books or religious texts. Upon leaving, many were allegedly left without financial resources, clothing, or qualifications.

Legal Proceedings and Accusations Against Opus Dei Leadership

Argentine federal prosecutors have launched a comprehensive investigation into these claims, accusing senior leaders of Opus Dei in South America of overseeing a system of exploitation and trafficking. In September 2024, a formal indictment was issued, charging high-ranking members with human trafficking and slave labor.

Initially, four priests who served as regional vicars between 1991 and 2015 – Carlos Nannei, Patricio Olmos, and Víctor Urrestarazu – along with Gabriel Dondo, the former director of the women's branch, were named as defendants. The case expanded in July 2025 with the addition of Monsignor Mariano Fazio, the auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei and the organization's second-highest authority worldwide, as a defendant. Prosecutors are also seeking to question Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, the current prelate of Opus Dei.

Opus Dei's Official Stance and Vatican Involvement

In response to the accusations, Opus Dei has issued statements categorically denying any involvement in human trafficking or labor exploitation. The organization asserts that the judicial investigation pertains to the 'personal situation of a woman' and that the allegations represent a 'complete decontextualization' of a 'freely chosen vocation' by assistant numeraries. Opus Dei maintains that the women received pay and private health insurance, and that their living conditions were 'welcoming.' The organization has also suggested that the plaintiffs' legal representation is employing a 'media strategy' to misrepresent the facts.

The Vatican has shown interest in the ongoing situation. Pope Leo XIV reportedly urged the organizers to convene this international conference. Furthermore, Pope Francis initiated a review of Opus Dei's standing and privileges in 2022, and the Vatican is currently examining revised statutes for the organization.

Ongoing Scrutiny and Calls for Justice

The Buenos Aires gathering underscores the continued efforts by former members to bring their experiences to light and seek accountability. The legal proceedings in Argentina represent a significant development, being the first time an organization within the Catholic Church has faced accusations of this magnitude. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and the international attention generated by this meeting are expected to have considerable implications for Opus Dei and its future operations.