The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Bishops of Scotland Congratulate Lady Rita Rae CBE on receiving Honour from The King

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland warmly congratulates Lady Rita Rae on her appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in The King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Lady Rae has given outstanding service to the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Scotland. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) and as Vice Chair of St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society, bringing wisdom, integrity, and a profound commitment to the protection and dignity of children and vulnerable people. She has also served the Church as a member of the national tribunal, as a board member of the Glasgow Archdiocesan newspaper Flourish and has given longstanding support for adoption and family services.

Alongside her service to the Catholic Church, Lady Rae has had a distinguished career in public life. She served as a Senator of the College of Justice and High Court judge, was the first working female Rector of the University of Glasgow, and she continues to support young people and students through education, mentoring, and scholarships.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
“This honour recognises Lady Rae’s faithful service to the Church and her tireless commitment to justice, safeguarding, and the dignity of the human person. She is a most deserving recipient of this high honour.”

Bishop Brian McGee, Bishop with Episcopal responsibility for safeguarding, said:
“Lady Rae’s leadership and independent scrutiny have driven the Church’s safeguarding practices to the highest standards. Her clarity, compassion, and determination have deepened the Church’s commitment to care and protection for all, reminding us of our constant need to accompany survivors and maintain robust policies and procedures.”

Archbishop William Nolan, the Archbishop of Glasgow, said:
“The honour bestowed on Lady Rae is richly deserved. She has worked tirelessly for charities over the years including St Margaret’s Adoption Society and has greatly assisted the Scottish Bishops in their ongoing commitment to safeguarding. Her honour will be widely welcomed.”

The Bishops of Scotland assure Lady Rae of their prayers and congratulations.

Gospel of the Day (Luke 2:36-40)

At that time: There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection on Sunday, 28 December 2025

Gospel of the day (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23)

When the Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Gospel of the day (John 20:2-8)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on the head of Jesus, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.