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Members of the Churches of Scientology Joined Largest-ever Religious Delegation Granted Audience by the Pope
Delegation Granted Audience by the Pope
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In the Vatican, Scientologist, Darlene Slamen is presented to Pope John Paul II
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Members of Churches of Scientology were among leaders of different faiths who joined the largest group of rabbis and other Jewish delegates to be granted audience by the Pope.
The delegation was organized by Mr. Gary Krupp, founder of the Pave the Way Foundation, a multi-faith alliance that strives to improve conditions on this planet by bettering relationships between the world’s major religions. Mr. Krupp, who is Jewish, is a Knight Commander in the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a status awarded him by the Pope for his substantial contributions to the people of Italy.
The 130-strong delegation to give support to Pave the Way Foundation’s efforts to bring about interfaith understanding and to acknowledge the Pope for his personal commitment to respecting the rights of all religions, in this particular case Judaism.
Pave the Way Foundation is also enhancing relationships between the world’s faiths by bringing about an exchange of religious treasures between Christianity and Judaism. The Foundation’s literature states, “If the government of Israel were to announce that to show appreciation for efforts towards the Jewish people and the State of Israel by Pope John Paul II, it will return, to the Christian world after 453 years, the Cenacle Shrine of the Upper room (the site of the last supper and third most important shrine in Christianity), the international image of Israel and its relationship with 2.3 billion Christians will have an enormous worldwide impact…. If the Vatican were to announce that… it is returning to the Jewish people, in the care of the State of Israel, the manuscripts of [12th century rabbi, physician and philosopher] Maimonides, again, this would gain world attention and further cement relations.”
During the January 18th reception, Mr. Krupp thanked Pope John Paul II for having “defended the Jewish people at every opportunity, as a priest in Poland and in your pontificate.” The Pope responded, “May this be an occasion for renewed commitment to increased understanding and cooperation in the service of building a world ever more firmly based on respect for the divine image in every human being.”
Scientologists have embraced the concept of religious tolerance since the dawn of the religion, as expressed in the Creed of the Church of Scientology of 1954, written by founder L. Ron Hubbard: “That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support their own organizations, churches and governments.”
For more information, see http://www.scientology.org/world/worldeng/corp/creed.htm
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