Dear Pepito

Regarding Opus Dei and Oxford.

My impression is that Opus Dei had enormous problems setting up in the City of Oxford.

The opposition came from three main sources

The diocese of Birmingham

The Catholic Chaplaincy in Oxford

The University of Oxford

The main problem with the University was that Oxford has a collegial system, with all the colleges  being semi-residential, thus with Opus Dei setting up a residence for undergraduates, it would make it a quasi- university college.

I have seen impressive architects drawings for a new huge Elizabethan style collegial Opus Dei centre that never materialised. Presumably drawn up in Rome.

Grandpont House the eventual Opus Dei centre avoided most of the issues, by setting up a small post-graduate only residence, just the other side of the river Isis.

Firstly this meant that it was now in the diocese of Portsmouth, which was much more in tune with Opus Dei thinking, and probably the diocese provided the land.

This avoided any problem with the Birmingham diocese, and made any issues with the chaplaincy less problematic.

Also being a small post-grad only set-up on the ‘wrong’ side of the river, it negated any problems with the University. I think Grandpont only has room for four or five students, and in my time had no SF. Involvement.

The SF does have a house in Oxford within the Birmingham diocese. It is a small domestic style house down a quiet street attracting little attention.

Grandpont is my favourite Opus Dei building in the country.

Grandpont House

It is an unspoilt Georgian house built on a bridge, and although these days it is quite run down and rather shabby, to me this adds to its charm. With a subsidiary of the Isis running through the Garden and under the house. It is in the most scenic spot in the whole city.

Regards

Horatio