Islam is not alone in producing fanatical sects - Roman Catholicism has its own,
Opus Dei has sided with the powerful against the weak, both theologically and politically, Johann Hari, 13 August 2004.

This summer, the beaches of the world are awash with The Da Vinci Code. It's a daft, mediocre thriller - but it contains two words that matter: Opus Dei. The novel depicts this strange sub-strata of the Catholic Church as the Pope's secret police. According to the author, Ron Brown, they are a mad, murderous mob who pick off the enemies of their own brand of ultra-conservative Catholicism.

From the Independent

Pope John Paul II has been a strong supporter of Opus Dei. John Paul II's press spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, is perhaps the most famous member of the organization.

In 1960s Spain, Francisco Franco appointed several members of Opus Dei as ministers. These ministers are generally acknowledged to have introduced to Franco's rule a capitalist, technocratic ideology which contrasted with previous Falangist, Carlist and military influences. Simultaneously, some other members of Opus Dei were exiled on account of their political ideas, like the founder of Diario Madrid who lived in Paris and would later have a leading role in the Spanish transition to democracy.

In present-day Spain, members of Opus Dei have been appointed as ministers by Partido Popular leader José María Aznar. Now that Aznar and the PP / Opus Dei party has been voted out, Opus Dei are less powerful, but still very powerful. They have a reputation as rich, powerful, arch-conservative, vengeful and dangerous.

In Ireland, members of Opus Dei (along with other religious or political organisations) have for decades been required to declare their membership if asked to serve in the government. In recent times, no known Opus Dei members have held cabinet posts.

In the United States, the Boston Globe reported connections between the Opus Dei priest Father C. John McCloskey and some conservative Catholic politicians.

Opus Dei states that its members are completely free in their personal, professional and political lives, and that the organization plays no role in the professional decisions made by members, including those who work in politics, and therefore cannot be held responsible for them.

(some of the above from Wikipedia)

The Opus Dei Awareness Network is a catholic organisation trying to set the record strait and raise awareness about this Kinky Katholic Kult. Below are some 'corporal mortification' tools used by the groups members to remind themselves of Christ's suffering. One is worn arount the top of the thigh and is spiky, the other is a more traditional type of whip used in the usual S and M way on the buttocks of the believer...



Good Article on Right Web "group watch"

Here The group's website refutes all the acusations against them.

other sources about Opus Dei