CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

15 September 2011 STATEMENT FROM CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

We are unable to make any comment in response to Latelines inquiry about potential legal action against the Church of Scientology by a group of former volunteer members claiming unpaid wages from their time as religious volunteers. The Church completely rejects the inaccurate claims made by a handful of embittered former members. At this stage there are no details for us to respond to other than it appears to be related to an issue currently being looked at by the Fair Work Ombudsman, who has yet to pass their findings. The Church will comment once those findings have been released. All religious work for the Church of Scientology is done by volunteers in religious service helping others. Engaging in community work such drug education; literacy and numeracy programs; pastoral care; human rights promotion and disaster relief are also manifestations of our religious beliefs. These volunteers also work regular jobs and donate their time to the Church for no other purpose than helping others. The Church fully supports its core religious order and pays all accommodation, food, transport and medical costs of its clergy whilst providing a small stipend weekly for personal items. This is in keeping with the practices concerning clergy of the other major faiths. Tens of thousands of charities and religions in Australia rely upon the generosity of their volunteers who give their time to help others, be that of a secular or religious nature. The Church of Scientology was declared a bona fide religion by the High Court of Australia in 1983.

oOo

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