On Sunday, November 10, hundreds of Scientologists gathered to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the presence of the Church of Scientology Mission in Bergamo.
In fact, Scientology's presence in Bergamo began in the early 1980s, when a small group of believers who attended the Church of Scientology in Milan decided to start spreading Scientology principles in their area on a permanent basis.
Since then, the group has grown significantly until the current mission was founded. A mission has the task of making the religion of Scientology known by providing information services that help a person take the first steps on that path of rediscovery and spiritual enlightenment that can be continued in a church such as the one that can be seen in Milan.
Welcoming the Scientologists and their guests who had arrived for the ceremony was Mrs Marta Riva, who has been a valued leader of the Bergamo mission for many years.
Immediately after her welcome, Mrs Nilupa, Warnakulasooriya, originally from Sri Lanka but resident in Italy for over 20 years, took the floor. She is a person who embodies the fundamental values of healthy and conscious growth, including the importance of educating her fellow citizens with moral values that help them face the difficulties of living and working far from home.
‘The values I have found in The Way to Happiness are universal,’ said Nilupa, ’I believe in the Values contained in The Way to Happiness that Mr. Hubbard has given us: it is an immense gift! I trust that the Programme you are implementing with The Way to Happiness will always be available to Everyone.’
The second guest, Mr. Franco Ravaglioli, vice-president of the Universal Peace Federation Italia, a non-governmental body recognised by the UN, spoke about the inter-religious activities that have been initiated in Bergamo and which involve representatives of different religious faiths, including the Church of Scientology. ‘Religions should cooperate with each other, but also work together with governments and civil society to build the world imagined by their founders,’ Ravaglioli said.
The third speaker was Dr. Daniel Sigua, journalist, TV host, entrepreneur, considered one of the most influential ‘Latino communicators’ in Italy, diplomat and founder of the first Latin American press agency in Italy and Europe. Thanks to his tireless commitment and contagious energy, he is inspiring many people to join the cause for a future where human rights are guaranteed for all.
‘Thanks to the Church of Scientology,’ said Dr Sigua, ’Today we have a community more aware and educated about human rights thanks to your Spanish-language resources and materials dedicated to promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.’
Closing the speeches was Mr Gabriele Riva, a Lieutenant of the Alpine troops and very active in his Bergamo community with social and humanitarian initiatives that have generated a greater sense of belonging and solidarity among his fellow citizens. Mr Riva wished to thank the Bergamasque Scientology community for the concrete help it has received on the occasion of the sight of 40 university students forming the choir of the University of the Philippines who also performed in honour of the families tragically affected by Covid during the pandemic.
After the ceremony, those present were able to visit the mission headquarters, which, besides being the place where people begin their journey of spiritual liberation, is also the meeting place for volunteers who have been engaged for years in information activities on the risks of drug use, one of the activities that has been carried out with continuity and effectiveness by the group of volunteers of the Bergamo community of Scientology.
Scientology has been present in Italy for 50 years, its 13 Churches and 20 Missions are caring for the spiritual progress of thousands of people of all ages, social classes and professions.
The first Church of Scientology was established by a group of believers in 1954, in Los Angeles, and there are now more than 11,000 churches, missions and groups in 167 countries worldwide.
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