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.

BISHOPS RESPOND TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT'S PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTATION

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops: Scottish Government’s laudable draft strategy on palliative care stands in stark contrast to dangerous assisted suicide proposal

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has responded positively to Scottish Government proposals for a new strategy on palliative care.

In its submission to a recent consultation the bishops declared their support for the draft strategy, stating that the proposals “uphold the dignity of human life for those at the end of life, their families, and carers” and said that the “laudable” proposals “stand in stark contrast to the dangerous Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill” currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.

The bishops said: “rather than being used to kill people, many of whom are vulnerable, public resources should be invested in helping people to live and to be more comfortable at the end of life.”

The bishops emphasised the crucial role of palliative care, declaring it to be “a precious and crucial instrument in the care of patients during terminal illness” and encouraged the government to ensure that a framework is in place to allow hospices to be appropriately funded to continue to deliver end-of-life care to all those who need it.

The bishops also stressed the importance of spiritual care and assistance for patients and their families at the end of life and called for such support to be a key element of a holistic approach to end-of-life care. Please see the full submission at the Catholic Parliamentary Office website

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.
Amen

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

October 2024

22Oct

Catholic priest and Indigenous activist Pérez killed by 2 gunmen in southern Mexico

22 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.ncronline.org/news/catholic-priest-and-indigenous-activist-p-rez-killed-2-gunmen-southern-mexico

Catholic priest Marcelo Pérez, an activist for Indigenous peoples and farm laborers in southern Mexico, was killed on Sunday.

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21Oct

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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21Oct

'Dilexit nos': Pope to publish encyclical on Sacred Heart of Jesus - Vatican News

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

On Thursday, Pope Francis will publish a new encyclical focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the context of a world which seems to have lost its ...

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21Oct

Our 5th module began today with a Day of Recollection

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Our 5th module began today with a Day of Recollection. We started with Mass of the Holy Spirit in St Peter’s Basilica, under the beautiful stain glass window of the Holy Spirit. I always find this an inspiring image, especially when we are seeking the Spirit’s guidance. After a meditation delivered by Fr Timothy Radcliffe we were given the draft Final Report to read in silence. I headed off to the Vatican Gardens which was a beautiful setting for pondering the text in silence. The afternoon consisted of Conversation in the Spirit within our Small Group. Tomorrow we begin discussing the text and proposing changes.
+Brian

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21Oct

The Synod in One minute - 10.21.24

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://youtu.be/WmJOeuATuOM?si=ZhUKlX8EJZV16PyO

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21Oct

WMS 2024 | Missio Scotland

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.missioscotland.com/wms2024

Missio Scotland Mission Sunday 2024

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20Oct

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series
Professor Sir Harry Burns: 'Conflict or Compassion: How do we choose?'
Wednesday 23 October, 18:00
The Social Hub Glasgow, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ, UKhttps://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/burnsharrysir/

In 2024, we celebrate Strathclyde’s Diamond Jubilee – 60 years since the granting of our Royal Charter. In the penultimate lecture of the Town and Gown series, Professor Sir Harry Burns will discuss the science of how our experiences determine how our brains work and how we value ourselves and others. As well as examine the societal conflicts that divide us—whether between social classes or in the current turmoil in the Middle East. What kind of world could we create if we chose care and compassion over exploitation and violence?

Sir Harry is renowned for addressing the link between poverty and ill health. He started his career in general surgery at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary, before becoming Medical Director, and between 2005 and 2014, was Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Please note this event will not be recorded.

Please register here.
Enquiries to corporate-events@strath.ac.uk

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20Oct

Cup of Salvation: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/cup-of-salvation-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-twenty-ninth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

The sons of Zebedee hardly know what they’re asking in today’s Gospel. They are thinking in terms of how the Gentiles rule, of royal privileges and honors.But the road to Christ’s kingdom is by way of His Cross. To share in His glory, we must be willing to drink the cup that He drinks.

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20Oct

The Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church: An interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory - Vatican News

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In this interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., speaks about the meaning of synodality, the Church’s ...

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20Oct

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession. You may remember that before I left Oban I began a novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux for the exact same reason. Rome is full of tombs and Churches dedicated to saints: Our Lady, St Peter, St Paul, St Monica, St Charles Borromeo, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Philip Neri, Popes John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II and many others. During weekends I have visited many Churches to seek the intercession of these and other saints buried or dedicated there. Why? The Communion of Saints. The saints are part of the Church but are now sharing in the glory of Christ in heaven. They have clarity regarding what life is about and they love us, therefore they want to intercede on our behalf. I am aware of the importance of this Synod and my own limitations and therefore it seems natural to me to seek the intercession of my brothers and sisters in heaven. Furthermore, this Synod does not exist in isolation but is part of a long history of many gatherings of Councils and Synods. It is important to remember that what we are doing is not something novel or in isolation but rather part of a long tradition to which I know we must be faithful. For that too I seek the intercession of the saints who were disciples that discerned and followed God’s will, including those who participated in previous Synods and Councils over the past 2,000 years.
All you Saints of God, pray for us.
+Brian

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