Katie Holmes returns to the Catholic Church after breaking free from Scientology and Tom Cruise

Katie Holmes has turned her back on the controversial religion of Scientology by registering with a Catholic church in New York, it has been claimed.

According to a new report, the actress has formally confirmed her return to Catholicism by signing up to the Church of St. Francis Xavier.

Katie Holmes’ decision to register as a parishioner at the church has been met with excitement by the congregation.

One member of the church choir told the Huffington Post: “Everyone is thrilled to have Katie join us.

“She has not yet attended a service, but when she does she will be welcomed with open arms.”

On its website, the Church of St. Francis Xavier, which dates back to 1847, “strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst”, according to its mission statement.

The actress’ decision to register with the church is sure to be seen as her final way of distancing herself from Scientology.

And the move is also the latest sign that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s six-year-old daughter Suri, of whom Katie is believed to have sole custody, will follow in the actress’ Catholic footsteps, rather than follow her father and his devotion to Scientology.