Church of Scientology of Spain Celebrates Three Decades of Service
In celebration of 30 years of the Scientology religion in Spain, the National Church of Scientology in Madrid opens greatly expanded facilities for the community
MADRID—The strains of flamenco music filled Santa Catalina Street in the heart of Madrid September 17 while more than 1,000 Scientologists, dignitaries and guests celebrated three decades of the Scientology religion in Spain with the opening of a spacious new state-of-the-art Public Information Center on the ground floor of the building.
Seven years ago, leaders in the field of religion, law and human rights proclaimed Scientology as the hope for their country at the grand opening of the elegant 53,819-square-foot Church. More than 6,000 joined them in welcoming Scientology to its new home, signaling the beginning a new era of expansion for the religion in Spain.
The Church responded with an entirely new level of service to the community through its humanitarian programs: human rights initiatives, drug education and prevention programs, literacy and learning centers, and the Volunteer Minister program providing disaster relief and widespread, effective help.
The Church also regularly hosts human rights and religious freedom conferences and symposia and provides ready access to its beautifully appointed chapel, conference rooms and seminar spaces to charitable and humanitarian groups.
In October 2007 the Spanish National Court granted the National Church of Scientology of Spain full religious recognition, mandating its inclusion in the Registry of Religious Organizations.
Now, to accommodate the tremendous growth of interest in the religion, and in celebration of its three decades in Spain, the Church has opened its new Public Information Center, making it possible for anyone to learn about the Scientology religion. Visitors are invited for self-guided tours and to view any of the 500 documentary films that provide an overview of the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and a biographical presentation of the life and accomplishments of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.
New course rooms and seminar spaces have also been added to substantially expand the Church’s capacity to provide Scientology Life Improvement Courses and other Scientology and Dianetics services, making the effective tools of Scientology broadly available to all.
The newly renovated spaces of the 19th-century landmark complement the grace and beauty of the building. Its chapel, seminar rooms, film rooms, and workspaces for volunteers stand open and ready for use by parishioners and the community.
The addition of these new facilities is part of an international program to make the Scientology religion’s effective solutions to the most pressing challenges people face today broadly available to Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike.
Under the guidance of Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, 24 Ideal Churches have been dedicated and opened since 2003, including those in world cultural capitals—The National Church of South Africa in Johannesburg; the Church of Scientology of New York, just off Times Square; the Church of Scientology of London, located in the epicentre of the city; the Church of Scientology of Italy in Rome; the Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House on “Church Row”; the National Church of Scientology Mexico, in Mexico City; and the Church of Scientology of Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate; the Church of Scientology of Melbourne in the cultural capital of Australia; and Church of Scientology of Moscow just a mile from Red Square. Another 60 Ideal Churches are in design, planning or construction phases.
The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has today expanded to more than 9,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 165 countries.