Religion: Building God's Global Castle

Opus Dei is a highly controversial movement in Catholicism

Clad in simple white albs, 77 candidates for the priesthood prostrated themselves before the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica last week as the Supreme Pontiff invoked the blessings of the saints in heaven. Then, while the group knelt in four neat rows, Pope John Paul, followed by Monsignor Alvaro del Portillo, laid hands on the candidates' heads to convey to them the powers of priesthood.

Though the Pope ordains hundreds of priests each year, last week's ceremony was a rite of special significance:...