“As the letter says, it is an ecclesial movement that like all movements has its particular aspects, its spirituality, but everything is in order,” he explained.
Opus Angelorum is formed of lay members, religious sisters and priests. It has full pontifical status as a religious order within the Catholic Church, but its uniqueness is found in the practice of its members consecrating themselves to both their guardian angels and to the entire body of holy angels to attain "active" status in the order.
Father Paul Haffner, a theologian at the Regina Apostolorum University in Rome who has studied the Opus movement, said there is nothing wrong with venerating angels. Problems arise, he said, when veneration crosses over into worship. He noted that “worship of angels,” was specifically forbidden by St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians.
"Worship," Father Haffner explained, "must always be Christ-centered." Devotion to saints and angels, must be limited to "reverence." This proper reverence can also be shown through a consecration or special dedication to the angels similar to that promoted by Opus Angelorum.
He added that the Church "is very positive towards angels” but does not sanction the use of names for angels other than those angels specifically named in Scripture.
As for whether Mrs. Bitterlich's private revelations might one day be examined and possibly approved by the Church, the Vatican source familiar with the situation said that is not under investigation at the moment.
“There are many things that are good in these visions and revelations, useful things for the Church, along with these there are things that are not in conformity with the Church and must be put aside," he said. "Surely, she was a very religious soul and she had a very strong relationship with God."