The First Branch of Churches of Scientology
for Europe opens in Brussels

| Brussels, Belgium • JANUARY 23, 2010 |

Nearly 1,000 Scientologists and their guests from across Europe attended the dedication of the Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe on January 23, 2010. A representative of Church of Scientology International, the Mother Church of the Scientology religion, officiated at the ceremony held in the early 20th-century historic structure at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103.

This early 20th-century landmark structure at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103 in the heart of Brussels, will serve the spiritual needs of the people of this community and those throughout Europe.
This early 20th-century landmark structure at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103 in the heart of Brussels, will serve the spiritual needs of the people of this community and those throughout Europe.
The event was a beginning of a new era for Scientology parishioners and all residents of Belgium and Europe where effective solutions to uplift the visible decay of the society in which we live are now available to all.

The Honorable Hugo Coveliers, Senator, Belgian Parliament: “What this world really needs is a global army of peace. And I believe that your Volunteer Ministers are that army. With their hands, their actions and their words, they are the counterpoint against soldiers of war. And one day those soldiers of war will not be needed anymore…”
The Honorable Hugo Coveliers, Senator, Belgian Parliament: “What this world really needs is a global army of peace. And I believe that your Volunteer Ministers are that army. With their hands, their actions and their words, they are the counterpoint against soldiers of war. And one day those soldiers of war will not be needed anymore…”
Distinguished guest speakers participating in the dedication of the new Church were the Honorable Hugo Coveliers, Senator in the Belgian Parliament; Professor Abolfazl Beheshti, Professor of International Relations and Energy Economy at the University of Lille, France; the Honorable Juan Ferreiro, Deputy Director General for Religious Affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Justice; Ms. Katalin Szomor, expert member of the Drugs Commission of the Hungarian Parliament and former National Drug Coordinator; and the Reverend Christopher Vonck, Rector of the Faculty for Comparative Study of Religions in Antwerp.

Professor Abolfazl Beheshti, Professor of International Relations and Energy Economy, University of Lille, France: “I thank the Church of Scientology for having developed a universal education program of human rights. Your great efforts, for the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s generations are an example for the entire planet.”
Professor Abolfazl Beheshti, Professor of International Relations and Energy Economy, University of Lille, France: “I thank the Church of Scientology for having developed a universal education program of human rights. Your great efforts, for the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s generations are an example for the entire planet.”
In his address to the Scientologists and guests, Senator Coveliers said, “This new Church in the capital city of Europe stands as a beautiful testament to your help, and you can be certain of my continued support. You care for people, and this Church is such an example of this attitude.”

The new Church in Brussels has undergone extensive renovation not only to accommodate all Scientology religious services but also as a home for the community services provided through the many activities and humanitarian programs of Church members.

Ms. Katalin Szomor, Expert Member of the Drugs Commission of the Hungarian Parliament and former National Drug Coordinator: “The independent evaluation of your program indicates fantastic results. Your drug prevention programs are ahead of any others. Thousands and thousands more are informed with the education campaign you carry out worldwide.”
Ms. Katalin Szomor, Expert Member of the Drugs Commission of the Hungarian Parliament and former National Drug Coordinator: “The independent evaluation of your program indicates fantastic results. Your drug prevention programs are ahead of any others. Thousands and thousands more are informed with the education campaign you carry out worldwide.”
The 88,000-square-foot Church includes an expansive Information Hall housing a multimedia exhibit describing the religion's beliefs and practices and the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Displays also cover the Church-sponsored humanitarian and social betterment programs that offer practical answers to the societal ills of crime, drug abuse, illiteracy, declining moral values and natural disasters. These programs represent the work of Churches of Scientology in servicing every community in which they reside as well as other communities the world over.

Also representative of this new Ideal Church is an accommodating chapel for congregational gatherings, which also serves as a chapel for Sunday services, weddings and naming ceremonies; a Documentation Center containing the written and spoken materials of L. Ron Hubbard; rooms for religious training and religious counseling; and Public Affairs offices to coordinate human rights initiatives across Europe with like-minded organizations.

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