In the Name of Religion
“Religious Liberty Should Do No Harm”
The young Dominican priest wore an expression of calm and solemn contemplation that came from somewhere deep within. Much like his faith, his attire came from a far distant time. His medieval-style habit—white, ankle-length with folded cuffed sleeves—had been worn by friars during the middle-ages when serfs tilled the land. His heavy black rosary hung on the left side, where a knight would’ve worn his sword—a powerful reminder that this spiritual icon was far more effective than a blade.
He was sitting across from me in his office at St. Thomas Aquinas, the church serving the University of Virginia’s catholic congregation. A graduate of Yale University, he’d presided over my son Kyle’s funeral mass and burial just a few weeks earlier on February 21.
“I called you, Victoria,” he said with concern, “to see how you are managing.”
For a moment, I was unable to answer. A measureless chain of days—the darkest of days—had followed my son’s death. I’d retreated into a bleak wilderness where torment, guilt, and despair germinated and thrived. Overwrought with grief, I couldn’t process the harsh reality that Kyle was no longer among the living. If there was any light left in the world, I couldn’t see it.
I suspected that during the meeting about to unfold, the young Dominican would attempt the unenviable task of coaxing a grieving mother out of her pool of sorrow. I didn’t foresee that the discussion would include detailed information about the Church of Scientology and the Clearwater Police Department’s investigation of Kyle’s death.
The Dominican told me how to obtain answers from an uncooperative police detective. He forewarned me about an organization with church status that had a reputation for being a chronically vexatious litigant. The priest advised me to proceed cautiously—to think it over. He wanted to make certain that I understood what I was up against. That it wasn’t going to be easy. It became obvious that the friar knew much more about Scientology than I had anticipated.
During our talk, he gave me a grim warning: “It would be just like the Church of Scientology,” he said, “to take your grief and use it as a weapon against you.
My conversation with the Dominican friar was protected under priest-penitent privilege. (Similar to laws applying to communications between lawyers and their clients, this rule of evidence—based on the First Amendment’s freedom of religion—strictly forbids inquiry into certain conversations between clergymen and members of their congregations.) I have no problem sharing it publicly, as I have nothing to hide. And certainly, with permission, the priest would have no problem sharing our private conversation under oath. Especially if it could help in an investigation.
And this is but one way in which churches—and organizations like Scientology that have church status—enjoy a protected and privileged standing in the United States. Our society subsidizes them with generous tax breaks that are not available to other institutions, even non-profits. In U.S. tax law, churches are classified as public charities—they’re 501(c)(3) organizations—and they’re generally exempt from federal, state, and local income and property taxes. They can opt-out of Social Security and Medicare withholding. But should they have all of these privileges? What about when their enormous wealth is used to quietly pay off civil suits? Or when these subsidies enable megachurch ministers to live luxurious lifestyles from the tithing of its overly devout and poor parishioners?
When churches hide their criminality and immorality behind the First Amendment, we must question whether they deserve these protections. When a defendant can confess to a crime for penitence while not taking responsibility for the crime, we need to question whether a moral boundary line has been crossed.
Are these special church protections outdated? Shouldn’t they be changed to protect the public?
One of the defendants in our wrongful-death lawsuit against the Church of Scientology (and several of its practitioners) was Denise Miscavige Gentile, twin-sister of the Church’s leader, David Miscavige. She repeatedly lied when questioned by the Clearwater police regarding my son’s death and when she was later deposed, under oath, by our lawyer, Ken Dandar. (And, of course, lying to the police and under oath are criminal acts.)
(For a detailed description of her criminality, go to “Scientology, Lies, and Alibis” at https://thetruthforkylebrennan.com/denise-miscavige-gentilescientology-lies-and-alibis/)
One of her lies was about her being the Scientology “auditor”—or spiritual advisor—for Tom Brennan, Kyle’s biological father, and another of the defendants. (“Auditors” perform “auditing,” one of Scientology’s standard practices. This involves attaching an “e-meter” electrical device to the subject—the “pc” or “preclear”—and asking questions while looking for a change in the pc’s “charge.” The goal is the removal of “charged incidents” that Scientology teaches have caused trauma in the PC’s mind.)
Asked by the Clearwater police detective if she was Brennan’s advisor, Gentile answered: “I’m not—I’m not a church advisor.” And yet a document subpoenaed by lawyer Dandar from the Church of Scientology—a “Privilege Log” showing Brennan’s auditing progress—lists Denise as Brennan’s auditor at the time of Kyle’s death.
Amazingly—despite the fact that she’d first claimed she wasn’t Brennan’s auditor—the Scientology lawyers later stated that “information regarding Denise and Tom’s Scientology-based friendship” was off-limits because “it was covered, under the law, by priest-penitent privilege.” The hubris involved here is absolutely astounding. At first, she wasn’t Brennan’s auditor, but once this was proven to be a lie, their conversations were privileged and protected. They couldn’t be subpoenaed.
Denise—with the help of her Church-bought lawyers—completely played the system. Their criminality is only outmatched by their immorality. Their abuse of the Church’s religious protections created legal problems for me, a private citizen seeking the truth regarding my young son’s death.
Denise Miscavige Gentile, a high-ranking “celebrity” member of the Church of Scientology, never even considered telling the truth.
Copyright©2023 Victoria Britton
https://thetruthforkylebrennan.com/denise-miscavige-gentile/
Clearwater Police Report; Detective Steve Bohling-Denise Miscavige
Deposition Excerpt
Thank you for giving great information
Thank you, Victoria! Your kind words brought tears of sorrow to my eyes and heart. But I must say this, it is surely you, with your exemplary courage and determination, who is the good and decent one here, the one worthy of the highest regard, respect and admiration. Your story is indeed tragic, horrendous… but by telling the world, by exposing the dreadful truth, about this horrific cult, its megalomaniacal leader and his mindless followers, you are doing a great service to humankind. Hope that makes sense… Stay well yourself! Best wishes to you, Victoria!
Thank you, Peter! You are a good and kind person. Despite the horrific tragedy that came into my life, I never let go of my core belief that most people are good and decent. Thanks for being an example of the best of humanity. I’ll stay in touch! Be well, Peter!
I wish there were something I could do to help you win this battle against the forces of darkness. Let me know if you think of anything.
Thank you for sharing needed to be shared
Amazing
Wish you all the best!
Hugs from Italy
Vicky
Thank you, Gwen!
Stand fast, Victoria, and all good wishes.
Gwen.
Thank you, Philip! I hope this finds you well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hey Victoria, its so hard to think what one must have gone through.
Glad you’re speaking your truth. Its time for so many people to awaken to what has been hidden underneath our noses for so long. Be well and stay safe!
If Kyle’s story spares even one family from the suffering mine has endured, it will have made this journey worth it. Staying silent was never an option!
Wow. Kyle’s story is hard for me to fathom – in today’s day and age. I am very sorry for your loss.
May I ask – what is the end goal of our research and writing project?
Thank you, 3bones!
I would recommend reading “Bare-faced Messiah: The True Story of L.Ron Hubbard by Russell Miller.”
I never vetted if it was a formal adoption. It was fourteen years ago when I worked with T.J., and he was up there in years. It’s my guess that he is no longer with us. The last time I saw him was a few months after Kyle died when we crossed paths in a flower shop. There is one story, he shared that was particularly interesting. Apparently, Edgar Cayce was friends with Ernest Hemingway and he would often visit him down in Key West bringing T.J along with him. According to T.J, Hemingway was a cantankerous old man who didn’t like him. During one of those visits, T.J. got a harsh scolding for chasing one of his favorite cats. In retaliation, he later snuck into Hemingway’s private office and stole one of his pipes. He still had it in his possession when I knew him. My husband, Rick, contacted a couple of journalist friends, hoping that they’d interview him. I’m not certain if any interview came to fruition.
I am here and I shared your post to Facebook yes they see themselves as Impervious it’s malignant narcissism of the worst kind and darkly destructive.
I knew Cayce had three sons, one of which died as a baby. I didn’t know he had any adopted children. I don’t recall reading about that anywhere.
I only mentioned Cayce as an example. I’ve done some light reading on Hubbard and found that he, too, had “encounters” much like Cayce (or H.P. Blavatsky or Tesla) leading to his “Xenu” story. I suspect that is why the CIA found him interesting.
Anyway, have you seen Tony Ortega’s site:
https://tonyortega.org/
I knew Edgar Cayce’s adopted son. We worked together at a design studio for a short time. He went by the name of T.J. When I inquired what the initials of his name stood for, he told me ‘Thomas Jefferson.” Cayce believed he was Jefferson reincarnated. I thought you’d find the story and my connection to the Cayce family interesting.
Psychics, not physics. I’m referring to individuals with ESP abilities like Edgar Cayce. Any opinion on such?
I’m not certain what you mean by “genuine abilities.”
Welcome.
Just out of curiosity, as a side note, what do you think of psychics? People with genuine abilities… Believe it or not, this is a relevant question.
Although I don’t know much about the Church of Scientology, I find this accounting and the testimonies of Tom Brennan, Denise Miscavige Gentile, and Gerald Gentile extremely disturbing. I can’t imagine being in your shoes and the work, dedication and research needed by you and your husband to uncover and unravel all the lies, deceit, and untruths associated with the “Church” of Scientology and its followers as they pertain to Kyle’s untimely death.
I wish you and your husband Rick much success in your quest for final justice, however long it may take, in the name and memory of Kyle …
I appreciate your much-needed support and words of encouragement. A big thank you!
I had not seen this post! Thank you for sharing the link.
I try to never forget that most people are good. They want to do what is decent and right. What’s difficult to fathom is the mindset of a person/group that deliberately obstructs justice and inflicts harm onto others in their attempt to destroy you. It is a brutally dark side of human nature. Thank goodness they are in the minority. Thanks for being a steadfast supporter. It means a lot to me. Be well and stay safe!
What I try to remember is that for every person who speaks out, there are many hiding in the shadows who are afraid to. Their reputation for and their propensity for bullying has instilled an environment of fear, that has allowed this organization to get a free pass when they break laws. I despise bullies and loath injustice. I’m just going to keep going. What helps is having support from people like you. A big thank you, Patti!
I know the subject of Scientology has a limited interest with the public. This makes me all the more appreciative of my followers who take the time to read my posts. A big thank you, Stu!
I agree! The abuse extends beyond the Church of Scientology. Thanks for your support, it’s much appreciated and needed!
Have you seen this:
https://espionagehistoryarchive.com/2016/02/27/scientology-the-cia/
I read somewhere that Miles Copeland was L. Ron Hubbard’s handler.
I am so sorry you are faced with such evil and heartlessness.. .I hope you have those around you who support you when you need it.. This kind of loss does make you strong but its so hard seeing into such a brutally dark side of human nature..
I am soo sorry, our system is broken to allow that.
I am sorry for your loss, and I am sorry you have to fight for justice with such deceit and blatant criminality
Our system is definitely broken when these things are allowed. The justice system is supposed to protect people – it does not.
I wish you the best 🙏 and I am sorry for you pain & frustration through everything… I am a mom myself… I can’t even imagine what you go through!! I admire the strength!!
I have little doubt if they think things aren’t going their way, they will resort to nefarious tactics. Please be careful
There is a shocking amount of religious institutions that misuse and abuse their special status granted to them by the government.
Just be careful. They can be more than litigious.