**Celebrating 35 Years of the Scientology Mission in Bergamo, Italy**
**Bergamo, ITALY, [KINGNEWSWIRE](https://kingnewswire.com/scientology-mission-of-bergamo-italy-celebrates-35-years-since-first-opening-24111419921/) //** On Sunday, November 10, hundreds of Scientologists gathered to mark the 35th anniversary of the Church of Scientology Mission in Bergamo.
Scientology’s presence in Bergamo dates back to the early 1980s, when a small group of believers from the Church of Scientology in Milan sought to expand the religion’s reach in their local community. Over time, this group grew, eventually establishing a formal mission aimed at providing information and guidance to those interested in Scientology. The mission plays a crucial role by introducing individuals to the religion and helping them take their first steps toward spiritual discovery and enlightenment. Those seeking to continue their journey can then attend one of the nearby churches, such as the one in Milan.
The anniversary celebration was led by Mrs. Marta Riva, a long-time leader of the Bergamo mission, who warmly welcomed the attendees. Following her introduction, **Mrs. Nilupa Warnakulasooriya**, originally from Sri Lanka and residing in Italy for over 20 years, took the stage. Mrs. Warnakulasooriya embodies values of conscious growth and community support, focusing on educating others about moral principles that help them navigate life’s challenges, especially when living far from home.
“The values I’ve found in *The Way to Happiness* are universal,” said Nilupa. “I believe in the teachings contained in *The Way to Happiness* by Mr. Hubbard. It’s an incredible gift, and I trust that this program will always remain accessible to everyone.”
**Mr. Franco Ravaglioli**, Vice-President of the **Universal Peace Federation** (Italy), a UN-recognized non-governmental organization, was the second guest speaker. He highlighted the inter-religious initiatives taking place in Bergamo, involving diverse religious communities, including Scientology. “Religions should collaborate with governments and civil society to build the world envisioned by their founders,” Ravaglioli remarked.
The third speaker, **Dr. Daniel Sigua**, a prominent journalist, TV host, and entrepreneur, known as one of Italy’s most influential Latin-American communicators, also shared his insights. Dr. Sigua, who is a diplomat and founder of the first Latin American press agency in Italy and Europe, emphasized his commitment to human rights. “Thanks to the Church of Scientology,” Dr. Sigua stated, “we now have a more informed and educated community regarding human rights, aided by your Spanish-language resources and materials promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
The final speaker of the day was **Mr. Gabriele Riva**, a Lieutenant with the Alpine troops. Active in Bergamo’s social and humanitarian efforts, Mr. Riva acknowledged the strong sense of belonging and solidarity the Scientology community had fostered. He expressed gratitude for the support the Bergamasque Scientologists provided, particularly recalling the moving tribute by 40 university students from the University of the Philippines choir, who performed in honor of families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the ceremony, attendees toured the mission headquarters, which serves as both a center for spiritual development and a volunteer hub. For years, its volunteers have conducted educational campaigns about the dangers of drug use, an initiative that has been consistently carried out with great success by Bergamo’s Scientology community.
Scientology has been present in Italy for 50 years, with 13 Churches and 20 Missions working to support the spiritual growth of thousands of individuals from various backgrounds and professions.
Globally, the Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 in Los Angeles, California. Today, the movement has grown to include more than 11,000 churches, missions, and groups across 167 countries around the world.
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