Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, members of the Church of Scientology are upholding a enduring tradition: supporting their communities through humanitarian actions that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the welfare of others in the community.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their partner organizations have led a wide range of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, such as neighborhood clean-ups, disaster-response training, and educational sessions for young people focused on integrity and teamwork. Parallel activities unfolded in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all delivered under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology positions serving the community at the core of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve eu news italy others,” a insight that guides the Church’s outreach initiatives. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to educational campaigns on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an indispensable step toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has manifested in real-world programs through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to recognize and copyright the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, showcase the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is vital to individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work supports the European Union’s emphasis on community engagement and human rights 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 UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the European Union. “When individuals choose to care for their communities, they also begin to grasp their own inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but a collective duty to uplift society.”
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 are active in nearly every region of the world, providing aid in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their workshops — open to anyone regardless of belief — provides practical tools to reduce tension, enhance understanding, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the understanding that people, when given practical help and empathy, 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 placed strong emphasis on education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and hosted community forums in partnership alongside schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but implemented in partnership with non-religious organizations, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This commitment to collaboration has received recognition from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not separate from their path to awareness — it is the very way that spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both individual spiritual work and service to others. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy 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