IN THE ETERNAL CITY, A NEW CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

On October 24, 2009, the new Church of Scientology of Rome opened in the Casalotti di Boccea district of the Eternal City. More than 6,000 Scientologists and their guests came from across Italy and beyond to celebrate the dedication of this magnificent new Church in its 70,000-square-foot home on 28 acres of parkland.

The new Church marks the largest expansion to date for Scientology in its 30-year history in Italy and will serve parishioners of Central Italy and other regions of the Mediterranean.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, welcomed parishioners to their new home in the historical crossroads of Western civilization. His presence signifying the stature and prominence of this Church, Mr. Miscavige spoke of what inspired every Scientologist to make the new Church possible:

“How on Earth can one possibly speak of history without a nod to Rome? This City of God, this City of Man, this center of the Western World for at least a thousand years—if ever a place was destined for an Ideal Church of Scientology, it’s here. For what better arena to show what Scientology can do than this age-old religious empire?”

Among those participating in the dedication of the new Scientology Church were Mr. Dino De Pasquale, Disaster Manager of the Civil Protection Agency; Professor Silvio Calzolari of the Theological Faculty at the Vatican University in Florence; Professor Luigi Berzano, Professor of Sociology of Religions at the University of Turin; and Ms. Laura Guercio, President of Legal Aid Worldwide.

The new Church home is a contemporary building that has undergone extensive remodeling to accommodate all Scientology religious services, the many community activities of Church members, and introductory services for visitors.

An expansive Public Information Center houses a permanent audiovisual exhibit containing more than 230 films covering the Church’s beliefs, practices and activities. Along with incisive descriptions of Scientology principles and information on the life and accomplishments of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, here is the definite introduction to all Church-sponsored social betterment programs to combat drug abuse, illiteracy, criminality, immorality and human rights violations.

Central to the building is the 300-seat auditorium for Church and community events.

The Church of Scientology of Rome will coordinate the social betterment programs of the Church in Central Italy. With two decades of experience in drug prevention, its “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” program provides proven, effective solutions to one of the most pressing problems in Italian society.

In closing the dedication ceremony, Mr. Miscavige emphasized the importance of the Church’s social mission and underscored the vital necessity of Scientologists taking responsibility for the community in which they live:

“You owe [Rome] our salvage campaigns to eradicate drug abuse, instill a respect for human rights and provide basic technology for living through The Way to Happiness.

“You owe her our learning and literacy programs.

“You owe her a system of criminal reform based not on punishment, but the restoration of self-respect.

“You owe every addict a drug-free life and every lost and hopeless soul the chance to discover Something Can Be Done About It.

“But most of all, you owe every Roman citizen an opportunity to discover Dianetics and Scientology.”