After Scientology, Leah Remini Finds Comfort in Return to Catholicism

Former Scientologist and King of Queens star Leah Remini said she has found “amazing” comfort in returning to the Catholic Church after leaving Scientology two years ago, contrasting Scientology’s abusive policies with Christianity.

During an interview with Howard Stern Tuesday morning, the 45-year-old actress said she was so happy to be “reconnecting” to the faith of her childhood.

Initially, Stern tried to lump all religions together as equally fanatical, but Remini jumped in, telling the shock jock he was making a big mistake.

“I’ve come to the conclusion in my life that all religions are sorta nutty,” Stern said. “And, you know, I just don’t get it sometimes, and so I don’t even single Scientology out any differently than Christianity or Judaism.”

“But you should,” cut in Remini, referencing Scientology abuses such as heavy commitments in finances and time, as well as its policies that break up families and friendships.

Remini said that it was a joy to get back to the faith in which she grew up.

“My grandmother lived on Elizabeth Street in Little Italy, and she used to go to church every day,” Remini told Stern. “She’d go in, light a candle, she’d pray, and as a child, that was comforting to me.”

“She’d go pray and do the sign of the cross on her forehead. She’d pray to this one and pray to that one if she lost her keys. It was always very comforting to me to have faith in something.”

“It wasn’t pushed on me like it was pushed on you,” she told Stern.

Remini said being back in the Catholic Church has been an “amazing” comfort to her.

“Now that I’m older and out of the Church [of Scientology], I’m reconnecting to a faith where I can go in and light a candle,” she said. “I have always been spiritual.”

In a recent interview on Good Morning America, Remini also referred to having her daughter baptized, an event she shared on social media in September. “I was always religious. I was baptized as a Catholic. I got my daughter baptized as a Catholic,” she said in the interview. “I’m reconnecting with my faith. It’s been a beautiful thing.”

Follow Thomas D. Williams on Twitter @tdwilliamsrome.