The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland work together to undertake nationwide initiatives through their Commissions and Agencies.

The members of the Bishops' Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a much welcomed contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly which meets regularly throughout the year to address relevant business matters.

EVENTS

Westminster debate and vote on Assisted Dying – Friday 29^th November.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Catholic Parliamentary Office have commissioned this short documentary. Please WATCH & SHARE with friends, family, and particularly your local MP and MSPs.

"Do No Harm” is a short documentary which highlights some of the grave concerns around proposals to legalise assisted dying in the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3S2yp3hjY

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1029444718?share=copy

Please remember to share the documentary with family and friends, and on social media, and please use the hashtags #DoNoHarm and #RaiseYourVoice

Read the joint Statement from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland on Assisted Suicide: AS-Plenary-2024-Statement-FINAL.pdf

BISHOPS RELEASE STATEMENT ON FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION AND JUST TRANSITION

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) have released a statement encouraging world leaders to agree to and establish a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, committing all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. The statement, which is released to mark the COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan from 11th – 22nd November, calls on Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and our planet, both now and in the future, from further global warming caused by fossil fuel extraction. Crucially, in recognising the workers and communities in Scotland who rely on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood, the statement emphasises that any such transition must have justice at its core and ensure that no one is left behind, particularly those currently employed in this sector who must be ensured secure work in the move towards renewables. The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.

News from the Commissions and Agencies

February 2024

10Feb

Pope Francis: Everyone must combat human trafficking, never be complicit - Vatican News

10 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-message-10th-world-day-against-human-trafficking.html

Pope Francis releases his message for the 10th World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, and urges society at all levels to combat ...

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10Feb

Saint Scholastica | Franciscan Media

10 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-scholastica/

Family ties and religious obligations may affect one another, but they are not necessarily opposed. Saint Scholastica’s relationship with her brother Saint Benedict, is a good example.

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08Feb

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’

08 Feb, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’ Earlier this week the Daily Record covered the debate set to take place among MSP’s on whether to have “Buffer Zones” around abortion clinics. A Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian MacKay would criminalise any action aimed at persuading someone not to access abortion or to consider an alternative, within 200 metres of premises carrying out abortions. It would become illegal, to: act in a way designed to influence decisions, hand out leaflets, hold up banners or placards or pray audibly. Incredibly, praying silently would also be criminalised. ...

05Feb

Saint Agatha | Franciscan Media

05 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-agatha/

One of the four virgin martyrs celebrated in the Catholic calendar of saints, Saint Agatha was arrested during the persecution of Decius in 251. Tortured for her beauty and tempted to violate her chastity, Agatha was eventually martyred.

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04Feb

Pope: ‘Let's work together for peace in the Holy Land’ - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-letter-jews-holy-land-peace-karma-ben-johanan.html

Pope Francis sends a letter to “my Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel", addressed to Karma Ben Johanan, a theologian of Jewish-Christian dialogue, ...

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04Feb

Sr. Nabila's appeal from Gaza: ‘We want peace, respect for human rights’ - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-02/sister-nabila-gaza-holy-family-parish-appeal-peace.html

As Christians remain holed up in the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Sr. Nabila Saleh relaunches her appeal for world leaders to hear the cries of ...

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04Feb

Pope's February prayer intention: For the terminally ill - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/
As our country considers assisted suicide and euthanasia let us pray for a better option of care and accompaniment to those most in need not taking their lives but being with them in life, dying and death 🙏

Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of February 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the terminally ill and their families.

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04Feb

Raised to Serve: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/raised-to-serve-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fifth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

In today’s First Reading, Job describes the futility of life before Christ.His lament reminds us of the curse of toil and death placed upon Adam following his original sin (see Genesis 3:17–19). Men and women are like slaves seeking shade, unable to find rest. Their lives are like the wind t

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02Feb

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

02 Feb, 2024 | Elena Laden | SCPO News |

Pope Francis has nominated Fr. Martin Chambers as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, succeeding Bishop Stephen Robson, who retired due to health reasons.

02Feb

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld [Blogging]

02 Feb, 2024 | SCMO News |