What we told
In April 2021, the town hall of Saint-Denis was awaiting the appeal decision. The subject of the dispute: a 7,000 square meter building, 30 meters from the Stade de France, in the heart of the business district, visible from the A1 motorway, one of the busiest roads in Europe. The building, purchased for 33 million euros in 2017, is the property of the Church of Scientology, an organization founded in 1954 by the American Ron Hubbard, which defines itself as a religion (it is recognized as such in the United States). United and in some European countries, but not in France, where parliamentary reports have classified it as a sect).
Until then established in the 17e district of Paris, the Scientologists were determined to make the Dionysian space their new headquarters in France, and the symbol of their influence before the Olympic Games. The French branch then claimed forty thousand followers, even if several sources only list a few hundred. The organization nevertheless exists completely legally in France, under the status of an association, but remains officially monitored for the risk of sectarian abuse. Scientology was also condemned for “organized gang fraud” in 2009 (decision confirmed on appeal in 2012, and on appeal in 2013). Other legal investigations, still ongoing, drag on.
The battle between the town hall of Saint-Denis and the Church of Scientology started in 2019, with a municipal decree aimed at preventing the creation of this “establishment open to the public, for security reasons”. But the Montreuil administrative court annulled this order. “A body of consistent evidence established that the mayor had exercised his powers for a purpose other than preserving the security and accessibility of the premises,” considered the court. The town hall appealed without really believing in a favorable turnaround.
What has happened since
In December 2021, justice confirmed its decision on appeal: the Scientology center will see the light of day. The question was when. Before the Olympics for sure, but the date remained unclear. And then this became clearer on March 16, in a publication on the French website of the Church of Scientology which praised its “exponential expansion” future. David Miscavige, president of the organization, then spoke about the inauguration of the new center in Saint-Denis.
When the day came, April 6, a huge blue ribbon adorned the building, and David Miscavige made the trip. ” Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe. The Louvre. The Seine. The Olympic Games this summer. Now, to the list of things to see in Paris, add the five-story glass and wood spiritual and architectural masterpiece that is the Ideal Church of Scientology and Celebrity Center of Grand Paris,” communicates the organization, claiming “ thousands » of people present that day.
You have 28.11% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.