Scientology Church Lashes Back, Denies Involvement in Tom Cruise's Divorce
The long-time attorney of Tom Cruise, Bert Fields, has stated that contrary to recent rumors, the Church of Scientology had no role in the divorce between Katie Holmes and the Hollywood star.
At the same time, the organization itself has shot down media attempts to get representatives to answer questions surrounding the divorce.
The couple settled their divorce outside of court, which will allow Cruise mostly to avoid his private life being opened up for court and public review. Many, however, had speculated that among the couple's problems, Holmes had grown distant from the Scientology religion her husband subscribes to, and did not want their 6-year-old daughter, Suri, to be raised by the the sect's guidelines.
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"Let me be very clear about this. The Church of Scientology played absolutely NO ROLE in the divorce settlement talks at all. Period. The mere suggestion that the Church was involved in any element of the talks and ultimate settlement is categorically false. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just wrong," Fields told RadarOnline.com, denying that the organization actively got involved in Cruise's side during the settlement.
Meanwhile, the Church of Scientology, which has mostly remained mum on the divorce of its most famous celebrity member from his third wife, issued a statement to CNN explaining why it does not wish to get involved in such matters.
"The Church does not speak about the beliefs and practices of parishioners. I have never seen CNN ask the Roman Catholic Church to discuss an individual parishioner by name and it points out the insensitivity of your questions," wrote Church of Scientology International spokeswoman Karin Pouw in response to inquiries by CNN about Tom Cruise.
"Scientology appeals to men and women in all walks of life, as do other major religions. The perception that it uniquely appeals to those in the arts is a misperception conveyed by the media. There are as many reasons individuals turn to Scientology as there are parishioners, but generally Scientology offers answers to age‐old questions, spiritual awareness and greater ability because it provides tools they can use in life," it continued, addressing another often circulated conception that Scientology benefits from large sums of money donated by its celebrity members.
Reports have suggested that Holmes may even be planning on rejoining the Roman Catholic Church now that she has left Cruise and Scientology, commonly considered a cult. Holmes was given sole custody of Suri, although Cruise retains visitation rights. The couple will live on opposite coasts, with Holmes settling in New York City, and Cruise remaining in Beverly Hills.
