Following the interview with Catherine Fradier, Nice Premium spoke with Arnaud Gency, the communication manager of Opus Dei, who explained why and how the “Camino 999” affair came about.
The origin of this affair is the novel “Camino 999” written by Catherine Fradier. This thriller author, who has already tackled current issues such as Rwanda in “A Poison Named Rwanda” and cyber paedocriminality in her “The Anger of Fallen Children,” is not new to writing, but this is the first of her works that has led her to a courtroom, a setting she was previously accustomed to sending offenders to, due to her past affiliation with the police force.
What could have prompted this organization, which reportedly has 85,000 members worldwide, to go after a brand new publishing house and one of its authors?
Arnaud Gency, a member of Opus Dei and its communication officer, was willing to respond to Nice Premium’s questions.
Nice Premium: Arnaud Gency, can you explain why Opus Dei is taking legal action against Catherine Fradier and her publisher for the release of the novel “Camino 999”?
Arnaud Gency: This novel portrays Opus Dei as a “Holy Mafia,” and the author continually reinforces this impression by interspersing her work with authentic data, mixed with clearly defamatory imputations towards Opus Dei (e.g., organizing assassinations). This is deeply unfair to Opus Dei and to all the ordinary Christians who are part of it and who lead peaceful lives.
NP: No contact was made with the authors before this action. Don’t you think that sometimes dialogue can solve this type of dilemma?
AG: Absolutely. Catherine Fradier could have reached out to us: as the author, the initiative was hers to take. Our Information and Communication Service is available for authors and journalists to answer any questions.
As far as we are concerned, we did indeed try to make contact with the publishing house as soon as we were alerted. Our letters, sent by registered mail and email, remained unanswered.
NP: What exactly do you criticize about this novel, which is just fiction after all?
AG: It’s precisely because it claims to be fiction! The essence of fiction, it seems to me, is the invention of characters, and nothing stopped Catherine Fradier from imagining any confessional organization from scratch, like “The Priory of Chabeuil”…
By talking about Opus Dei, citing its founder, associating a fictional criminal with the founder’s first successor, she stepped out of fiction.
NP: Why ask for such significant damages from a small publishing company?
AG: This request does not prejudge what the Court might award, should Opus Dei win the lawsuit. Moreover, this small publisher has already been featured on the front page of Dauphiné Libéré and in a report on France 3 Rhône-Alpes, which claims that its book is selling like hotcakes…
What we want is respect.
NP: Why didn’t Opus Dei take legal action against The Da Vinci Code when the book and then the film came out?
AG: The context at the time allowed us to widely communicate our point of view. Our transparent attitude was, in fact, very well received. We thought this attitude would discourage other authors from exploiting the fantasy of a secret and criminal Opus Dei. Unfortunately, we mistook our desires for reality, and some authors continue to target Opus Dei.
One Da Vinci Code is okay, two is fine, but three…
NP: If you had to briefly introduce Opus Dei in France?
AG: It’s an institution of the Catholic Church whose founder was canonized by John Paul II in 2002. Its purpose is to help ordinary Christians live their faith and to provide them with spiritual support.
Having arrived in France in 1957, Opus Dei now has about a thousand members here. These are ordinary Christians, men and women who strive to live their faith consistently in their daily lives.
NP: Why was your organization classified as a sect in Belgium?
AG: It’s interesting that we can shed light on this question.
In 1997, a report on sects was drafted in Belgium: it did not mention Opus Dei at all. Only an annex included several names of Church institutions including Opus Dei. The Belgian bishops reacted against the amalgamations it contained and, for the first time in the country’s history, an annex to a report was rejected!
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous people have forgotten to recall this disavowal, and this false rumor still circulates.
NP: Finally, do you think that a solution other than a lawsuit might be viable?
AG: Why not. If the author had tried to contact us, we wouldn’t be here today.
We are open to a proposal from Catherine Fradier and her publisher.
