 Throughout its history, Opus Dei has been criticized from many quarters, prompting journalists to describe Opus Dei as "the most controversial force in the Catholic Church" and founder Saint Josemaría Escrivá as a "polarizing" figure.Criticism of Opus Dei has centered on allegations of secretiveness, controversial and aggressive recruiting methods, strict rules governing members and elitism, and support of or participation in authoritarian or right-wing governments, including the fascist Franco regime which governed in Spain until 1978.The mortification of the flesh practiced by some of its members is also criticized.