Scientologists Across Europe Continue Their Commitment to Helping Society and Promoting Spiritual Freedom.
Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a enduring tradition: contributing to the public good through practical outreach that aim to restore a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the betterment of others in the community.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have carried out numerous community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, such as local clean-up drives, crisis response drills, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Parallel activities unfolded in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all conducted under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology puts assisting those in need at the core of personal progress. Its founder, L. news eu uk 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 drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that assisting others is an indispensable step toward one’s own spiritual awareness.
Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework 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 enables students to learn about and advocate for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase 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 Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to respond to social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work aligns with the European Union’s emphasis on civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone of a free and cohesive 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 inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only self-determination, 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, launched in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their bright yellow uniforms, VMs are active in over 200 nations, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their workshops — accessible to every interested person — provides practical tools to resolve conflict, improve communication, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are not driven by proselytism but by the belief that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, can find their way forward and regain control of their lives. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has resonated across languages and cultures.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have prioritized education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and partnered on prevention workshops in collaboration with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but implemented in partnership 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 sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not separate from their path to awareness — it is the path through which spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both self-directed learning and service to others. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists contribute to this tradition by bringing ethical insights into practical action — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life