David Miscavige: The enigmatic high priest of Scientology

To his followers, David Miscavige is the saviour of Scientology. But following an avalanche of bad publicity, has he become its greatest liability?

Officially, David Miscavige is chairman of the board of the Religious Technology Centre (RTC). In practice, the sharp-suited 52-year-old is the head of Scientology the pseudo-religion founded in the 1950s by science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard whose influence reportedly led Katie Holmes to divorce its most famous adherent, Tom Cruise.

Miscavige has been involved with Scientology, which promises to clear' followers of their problems via counselling sessions known as auditing', for most of his life. Of Polish-Italian descent, he was raised in New Jersey. His musician father became interested in Scientology and thought the church might be able to cure his son's asthma; Miscavige says it did.

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