MADRID, SPAIN
NATIONAL CHURCH IN THE CULTURAL HEART OF SPAIN
SEPTEMBER 26, 2004
In September 2004, the National Church of Scientology opened in the heart of Madrid, with 6,000 assembling to celebrate the new Church. Once the seat of religious suppression, Spain now welcomed Scientology to the nation, with dignitaries from religion, law and human rights all proclaiming Scientology as the hope for their country.
The paramount moment came when Mr. David Miscavige welcomed the thousands in attendance to their new Church—a Church that he had conceived and brought into existence and that would ultimately directly result in full religious recognition for Scientology in Spain:
“Spain, and its people, held a very dear place in the heart of L. Ron Hubbard.
“Yet beyond all of that there is, of course, all else this day means to not only our Spanish members, but to Scientologists the world over.
“For if Spain was a land where our Founder lit a torch for freedom, it is also a land where you kept that torch alive.
“Through the darkest days, overcoming insurmountable obstacles against overwhelming odds, you demonstrated in action the essence of these words of our Founder:
“‘The old must give way to the new, falsehood must become exposed by truth, and truth, though fought, always in the end prevails.’
“So with the deepest gratitude, on behalf of Scientologists from every corner of the globe, this is a day we celebrate what your dedication, integrity and persistence of ideals will now mean to all citizens of Spain.”
And with that, the ribbon was cut and thousands entered the new National Church of Scientology of Spain.
After a battle lasting decades, in a landmark decision on October 31, 2007, the Spanish National Court ruled in the Church’s favor, granting the National Church of Scientology of Spain full religious recognition and affirming the right to religious freedom. Additionally, the court mandated the National Church be entered in the Registry of Religious Organizations.
