LEO BACKS TD AFTER SCIENTOLOGY MEETING
Colm Brophy Taoiseach Varadkar THE Taoiseach has backed a Fine Gael TD after he hosted a delegation from a notorious cult in the hallowed halls of Leinster House.
The Irish Mirror exclusively revealed last week the controversial Church of Scientology held a meeting with Deputy Colm Brophy in the government buildings in September.
It took place in the coffee dock area of Leinster House and lasted around 10 minutes.
The Church of Scientology has opened a community centre and church in Firhouse, West Dublin, which is in Mr Brophy’s constituency.
The arrival of the sect has upset many locals, but the TD said he was meeting them to see what they were all about, as he would other groups that might come to his constituency. The news Mr Brophy had indulged the Scientologists was met with astonishment, especially as all of the other TDS in the constituency refused invitations.
Equal astonishment is now sure to follow after Mr Varadkar gave his approval to the official meeting of quasichurch and State.
The Taoiseach said: “I think Deputy Brophy may have hosted a delegation, so I don’t know exactly what it was about, but I wouldn’t have any difficulty in principle, I think it made sense.
“Even if you’re going to oppose somebody or oppose their plans or stand up to them, I think it always makes sense to engage them first and I think it is reasonable for a TD to actually engage with a group who are establishing a premises in their ON MEETING constituency.” But many states do not recognise it as a legitimate religion but view it as a sinister cult.
The German government sees it as an abusive business which pursues political goals that conflict with the values enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Mr Varadkar said he respected freedom of religion, but he also admitted he had some concerns about Scientology in particular.
He added: “In terms of Scientology I don’t know enough about it to give you an informed reply – I know there is a genuine concern about the fact or the possibility that it could be a cult.
“At the same time I think we always have to balance freedom of religion or freedom of association on the one hand with protecting people from being exploited, and that is always a challenge.
“I read stuff like you do, I don’t know enough about the Church of Scientology to know whether or to what extent the allegations made against them would require government intervention of some sort.
“I would be loath to go down that route of starting to interfere with religious groups or restrict people’s freedom of association in any way.”
The secretive but mega-rich Church of Scientology has courted controversy every where it goes its strange rituals and beliefs.
These range from believing that they can cure autism with one of their treatments, for just a €1,600 donation, to rumours that they believe in an alien God called Xenu.
They count numerous wealthy celebrities as prominent and loyal members, including Hollywood A-listers
John Travolta.
I would be loath to interfere with religious groups TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR