Members of the Church of Scientology Across Europe Sustain Their Efforts to Helping Society and Advancing Spiritual Freedom.

Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are continuing a time-honored tradition: serving society through humanitarian actions that aim to reinforce a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved without contributing to the well-being of others in the community.

During recent months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have carried out a wide range of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from local clean-up drives, emergency preparedness workshops, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all delivered under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.

Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.

Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology puts serving the community at the center of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an integral component toward one’s own spiritual awareness.

Across Europe, this philosophy has manifested in real-world programs through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has touched countless lives in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to understand and promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, exemplify the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is essential for individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.

A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.

In cities like Rome, Brussels, drug prevention and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to tackle social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work supports the European Union’s focus on civic participation and ethical education.

“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a peaceful and inclusive society,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, European representative of the Church of Scientology, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the Council of Europe, OSCE, UN, and EU. “When individuals learn to take responsibility for their communities, they also begin to grasp their own spiritual nature. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”

Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.

One of the most prominent expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, established in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their yellow shirts, VMs serve in nearly every region of the world, offering support in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to daily personal struggles.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their workshops — available to all, no matter their background or faith — provides practical tools to address disagreements, foster clearer dialogue, and rebuild personal resilience.

These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the conviction that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, can find their way forward and reclaim their independence. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has struck a chord worldwide.

Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.

In addition to immediate support, Scientologists have prioritized education as a long-term strategy for change. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and partnered on prevention workshops in partnership alongside schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.

Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but carried out jointly with public and civic groups, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This cooperative spirit has gained appreciation from government bodies, teachers, and civil society groups for its ongoing commitment to positive change.

The Path to Spiritual Freedom.

For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not separate from their spiritual journey — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both individual spiritual work and altruistic conduct. Contributing to society thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”

“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy by applying spiritual principles to everyday life — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life