|
|
June 10, 2000
Historic Occasion
FIRST OFFICIAL SCIENTOLOGY WEDDING IN SWEDEN FOLLOWS RELIGIOUS RECOGNITION
Sweden expected to set standard for Europe
Celebrating a landmark government decision that recognized the Church of Scientology as a religion in Sweden, the first official Scientology marriage in the country took place on June 10, 2000, in Stockholm.
“With this an old dream has come true,” said Reverend Gun Lanciai, Scientology minister who officiated at the wedding of Christina Larsson and Jimmy Gustafsson before a cheerful gathering of Church members. “I have been longing for this since I was ordained in 1972.”
Rev. Lanciai, 79, became a legal officiant after the May 4, 2000, decision by the National Judicial Board for Public Lands & Funds which granted Scientology ministers the right to perform marriages. The decision was the final step to achieving full and complete recognition as a religion in Sweden.
While marriages in the Scientology religion have been authorized in a number of non-European countries for years, the June union in Stockholm was the first official wedding in the Church for all of Europe. A delegation comprised of representatives from Finland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Hungary and Italy attended the historic occasion.
Religious historian Peter Akerback from Stockholm University also attended, receiving a letter presented by the European delegation which acknowledges Swedish religious scholars, authorities and politicians for setting an example of religious freedom and pluralism for Europe.
Setting a Standard for Europe
In its May 4 decision, the National Judicial Board outlined the religious character, permanence and organization of the Church of Scientology in a four-page statement and concluded that Scientology fully meets the criteria for recognition as a religion. Noting that Scientology churches had been granted the status of religious communities in Sweden earlier this year, the Board found that the Church also qualifies under the more stringent criteria of the Marriage Act.
The Church of Scientology in Sweden provides services consisting of “prayer ceremonies, ceremonies for name-giving and funerals and the marriage ceremony,” the National Judicial Board stated. Prior to the board’s decision, couples who wanted to marry in the religion held a Scientology wedding ceremony after they had completed the state procedure for marriage.
The Board further found that “Scientology is a religion built upon the research, writings and teachings of its founder L. Ron Hubbard. Its sacred practices consist of spiritual counseling, called auditing, studies of the Scientology scriptures and devotion....”
Rev. Heber C. Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International, acclaimed the recognition as a milestone for the Church of Scientology in Europe and for religious freedom.
“The Swedish government is establishing true religious freedom in Europe by applying its Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights,” said Rev. Jentzsch. “This sets a standard for all other European governments.”
Validation of Churches and Ministers
In November, Swedish tax authorities declared the Church a non-profit organization with a religious purpose that serves a public benefit, thus entitled to exemption from taxes. In March, the National Judicial Board for Public Lands and Funds granted churches of Scientology the status of religious communities.
“The recognition is a tremendous validation of the Scientology churches and ministers who have been competently serving their parishioners and communities for three decades,” said Tarja Vulto, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology in Sweden. “Now they can devote themselves that much more to their mission and the betterment of society.”
Churches of Scientology in Sweden are located in Stockholm, Goteborg and Malmo. As part of its social mission, the Church supports many charitable and social programs in the areas of drug rehabilitation, criminal reform and literacy.
Sweden was the second country in just over a month to formally recognize Scientology as a religion. On March 31, 2000, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa also granted ministers of the Church of Scientology the right to perform marriages.
|
