Growing up in Barcelona, Carla Subirana was surrounded by schools and universities linked to Opus Dei. The organisation, part of the Catholic Church, counts judges, politicians and business leaders among its members. They supposedly yield a huge amount of power and influence. Some former members accuse them of behaving like a cult.

As it approaches its 100th anniversary, we explore how it came to wield such influence in Spain – and why some former insiders are now speaking out.