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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.

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Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

At Christmas, Christians across Scotland gathered around the crib to contemplate the life of a vulnerable child; God entering our world as a baby in need of care, protection and love. Christmas places fragile human life at the centre of everything.
It is therefore unsettling that this season saw the first person in Scotland charged under the new so-called “buffer zone” law in Scotland; a law the Church believes curtails Scotland’s commitment to freedom of expression and conscience, and restricts critical voices from democratic debate in the public square.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 establishes “buffer zones” of up to 200 metres around abortion facilities — currently around 30 locations across Scotland. Within those zones, any conduct deemed to “influence” a decision about abortion may be criminalised. That vague description should trouble anyone who values legal clarity or free expression.
The Catholic Church does not condone harassment or intimidation, but that was not the intention of this law. The Church has been clear: harassment, intimidation and obstruction are wrong and unacceptable. But Scotland already has robust laws to deal with harassment, public disorder and threatening behaviour and it is telling that, when consulted on the proposed new law, Police Scotland did not ask for more powers, and went as far to state in written evidence to Parliament that, “existing powers and offences are sufficient to address any unlawful behaviour in the vicinity of healthcare premises.” When parliaments introduce criminal offences where existing law is already sufficient, questions should be raised and alarm bells ring.
We oppose this law because it is disproportionate and undemocratic. It represents state overreach and curtails basic freedoms. The Church would similarly oppose legislation mandating buffer zones outside nuclear weapons facilities or refugee detention centres. This should concern every Scottish citizen, regardless of their views on abortion.
As the Parliamentary Officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland pointed out, women experiencing crisis pregnancies may be “denied the opportunity to freely speak to people and organisations who may be able to help them.” A law supposedly designed to protect choice risks doing the opposite — eliminating one side of a conversation and one set of choices altogether.
Even more troubling is what the legislation anticipates. Official documentation accompanying the Act acknowledges that the law envisages criminalising “praying audibly” and “silent vigils."
This is unprecedented in modern Scotland, and it is no wonder it has raised eyebrows around the world, with concerns raised around Scotland’s commitment to human rights and freedom of expression and religion.
The implications go further. The Act extends to private homes within designated zones. A pro-life poster displayed in a window, a conversation overheard, a prayer said by a window; all could, in principle, fall within the scope of criminal sanction. When asked directly whether praying by a window in your own home could constitute an offence, Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Green Party MSP, who spearheaded the legislation, replied: “That depends on who’s passing the window.” That sends a chill down the spine of anyone who cares about civil liberties. Criminal law that depends on the perception of a passer-by is certainly not the hallmark of a free Scottish society.
The law also potentially criminalises a person standing alone in a buffer zone without any visible expression of protest, but who is deemed by others to be offering a silent pro-life inspired prayer. Even Police Scotland expressed unease. Superintendent Gerry Corrigan told Parliament that policing thought is an area they “would stay clear of,” adding: “I do not think we could go down the road of asking people what they are thinking or what their thoughts are. That feels really uncomfortable.” Yet, this is the territory into which Scottish law now ventures. Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference, noted that “none of the arguments made were able to get around the basic premise that Police Scotland had never asked for more powers.” and that the law is “draconian” and “unnecessary,” particularly considering its impact on people of faith.
Some parliamentarians attempted to mitigate the effects of the law— proposing a reasonableness defence, or exemptions for chaplains who might be criminalised for pastoral conversations. All amendments were rejected or withdrawn.
We support all those who, motivated by conscience and compassion, stand up for the right to life. It cannot be a crime to give our voice and our prayers to the unborn.
Christmas is the message that every human life has infinite dignity from its beginning. That truth is not confined to private thoughts. A society confident in its values does not fear opposing voices. It does not criminalise silent prayer. It does not ask its police or judges to peer into the minds of its citizens.
Scotland’s buffer zones law represents a profound shift in the relationship between the State and the individual — one that restricts free speech, free expression and freedom of religion in ways that should concern us all.
As we look to the child in the manger this Christmas and Epiphany, we are reminded that babies do not have a voice of their own. It is a shame that the State has now also curtailed the voices of ordinary citizens who advocate for them within its borders.
The Catholic Bishops of Scotland
6th January 2026

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn
September 2025
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-09/september-prayer-intention-for-our-relationship-with-creation.html


In his prayer intention for September 2025, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray that we might experience our interdependence with all creatures, who are ...
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-09/pope-leo-xiv-sudan-appeal-tarasin-humanitarian-emergency.html


Pope Leo XIV launches an appeal to the international community to provide humanitarian aid for the suffering people in war-ravaged Sudan, and asks for ...
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https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/pastors-duty-to-speak-out/


Gregory the Great on pastors duty to preach bold warning to repent. Silence in the face of sin, evil & faults is cowardice & fear.
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One would think that a reputable newspaper such as the Herald would refrain from allowing a public relations consultant making unjustified, spurious and inaccurate criticism of Catholics and Catholic education. Yes indeed public relations in 21st century Scotland!

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Latest newsletter at
https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk/newsletter/

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https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/creation/documents/20250630-messaggio-giornata-curacreato.html


MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 10 th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2025 [1 September 2025] ________________________________
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Our Biblical text for this year is Isaiah 32:14-18. The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. This description of devastated cities and wastelands eloquently stresses the fact that human destructive behaviours have a negative impact on the Earth.
Our hope: Creation will find peace when justice is restored.
There is still hope and the expectation for a peaceful Earth.
To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, metanoia (repentance), and solidarity.

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Pope Leo XIV renews his closeness to the Ukrainian people, appealing for an immediate ceasefire, and prays for the victims of the Catholic school ...
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📢Our new Justice & Peace Scotland Newsletter is here!

This edition includes:
🇵🇸 The Red Line for Gaza Campaign: as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, stand with us in calling for justice and peace.
🌍 Details of the Season of Creation Conference on Sat 6th September in Stirling.
📸 Highlights from our summer of advocacy events: Together for Sanctuary, Dignity Not Detention, and No To Nuclear Weapons.

Read the full newsletter on our website.

🤍Thank you for your continued support!
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VACANCY: National Director of Marriage, Family & Life Office
Hours: 15 hours per week
Salary: £11,746 per annum
Contract: 2 year with possibility of renewal
Closing Date: 26th September 2025
Applications:
The National Office for Marriage, Family and Life works alongside and is supported by the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life. They are responsible for the apostolate of the domestic church and promote the teaching and pastoral activity of the Church in marriage, family and life issues. In the context of family life, they support single people, couples and families, as well as the pro-life mission. They draw on the Magisterium of the Church on Marriage and the Family and offer practical support to initiatives in the dioceses of Scotland and on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference. Please forward application letter and CV to [email protected]
Areas for Development:
Working with the Commission, the Office:
1. Develops resources for celebrating the Domestic Church.
2. Develops and supports a national marriage preparation programme.
3. Develops and oversees a programme of enrichment for married couples.
4. Provides resources and referrals to marriage counselling for couples, facilitating a national marriage counselling service.
5. Promotes and develops family-based faith formation programmes for children, adolescents and young adults.
6. Supports families in their vocation, providing resources.
7. Develops a pro-life culture in parishes and facilitates pro-life initiatives.

JOB SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will work in the following areas:
Communication
 Arrange meetings of National Commission and submit agenda and reports.
 Frequently update the National Commission website (www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk).
 Develop a quarterly online newsletter for release in Dec; Mar; June; Sept. Advertise the release of newsletter on website through parish bulletins, diocesan websites and social media; encourage people to subscribe to quarterly newsletters.
 Promote events, such as the World Day for Marriage (2nd Sunday of February); World Children’s Day (last weekend in May); annual Day for Life (3rd Sunday in June); World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly (last Sunday of July).
 Report to the Commission and Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
Liaison
 Work with Catholic Parliamentary Office (CPO).
 Liaise with associations with shared mission for marriage, family and life: Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES); Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life; Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE).
Support
 Support National Commission permanent working groups.
 Support and raise awareness of diocesan initiatives.
 Support provision of Marriage Counselling services in every diocese.
 Support Catholic families, providing resources.
Organisation of National Events
 Annual Mass at National Marian Shrine in Carfin on the World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly.
 Annual National Conference on Family.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will have:
 Lived experience of the Church and its pastoral care of family and life issues.
 Ability to be highly motivated, good team player, but capable of working independently.
 Professional and friendly manner.
 Positive and pro-active outlook.
 Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills.
 Ability to work with and motivate others.
 Organisational and time management skills with the ability to take responsibility, innovate and problem solve.
 Computer literacy with an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft packages.
 Familiarity with and ability to use social media and other communication methods, including online newsletters.
 Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times.
 Willingness to travel and to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.

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