The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Over 2,000 young people from across Scotland gathered yesterday at the SEC Armadillo to receive the Caritas Award, recognising their commitment to faith in action through service in their schools, parishes and local communities.

The Caritas Award encourages young people to live out the Gospel in practical ways, supporting others, growing in faith and becoming witnesses of hope within the world around them.

Yesterday’s celebration was a powerful reminder of the goodness, compassion and faith of young people across Scotland and of the positive impact they are making in the Church and society today.

Congratulations to every young person who received the award. Your witness, kindness and service are an inspiration to us all.

Gospel
Mark 11:27-33
‘By what authority are you doing these things?’

At that time: Jesus and his disciples came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.’ And they discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why then did you not believe him?” But shall we say, “From man”?’ — they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’

Holy Mass of Friday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time | 29 May 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲

New figures from Public Health Scotland show that 18,783 abortions were recorded in Scotland in 2025, the highest number on record, with repeat abortions, disability-selective abortions and later abortions all increasing in recent years.

The latest statistics show that abortion numbers in Scotland have risen by 54.78% since 2016, increasing from 12,135 to 18,783. Over the same period, the abortion rate rose from 11.9 to 17.6 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. The figures also show that repeat abortions reached 7,927 in 2025, accounting for 42.2% of all abortions.

Particular concern will be felt at the increase in disability-selective abortions and abortions taking place at a later stage of pregnancy. In 2025 there were 277 disability-selective abortions, a rise of 61.05% since 2018, while abortions carried out between 18 and 20 weeks’ gestation rose to 138, an increase of 50% over the same period. These figures underline the urgent need for a more compassionate response to women facing difficult pregnancies and for greater protection of unborn children.

Responding to the latest statistics, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“Behind every figure is a unique human life, created with inherent dignity, and a mother who may be facing fear, isolation or hardship. These numbers should prompt not resignation, but a renewed determination to build a society where every life is welcomed and protected.

“The Church does not underestimate the real challenges that can accompany a crisis or unexpected pregnancy. Women deserve practical, emotional and financial support, not a culture that too often presents abortion as the only solution.

“We call on the Scottish Government and all MSPs to develop a culture and legal framework that expands support rather than abortion, one in which unborn children, including disabled children, are cherished, and in which no woman feels abandoned. Scotland should aspire to be a nation where compassion means standing with both mother and child, and where the dignity of every human life is defended from conception to natural death.”