The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

27th February 2026

27 February 2026

Choosing Compassion, Not Assisted Suicide - A Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Scotland stands at a moment of profound moral consequence. In the coming weeks, the Scottish Parliament will cast its final vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill; legislation that would, for the first time in our nation’s history, permit physician-assisted suicide. As your shepherds, entrusted with the care of souls and the protection of human dignity, we write to you with deep concern.

True compassion is not found in hastening death but in walking with those who suffer, ensuring they receive the medical, emotional, and spiritual care that affirms their inherent worth. Every person—regardless of age, illness, disability, or circumstance—is a gift from God. There is no such thing as a life without value. Our task as a society is not to eliminate suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but to surround every individual with love, support, and dignity until their natural end.

Over recent months, several Members of the Scottish Parliament who once supported the proposal have now either withdrawn, or are seriously considering withdrawing, their backing, recognising that the risks embedded within it are too grave to ignore. Their change of heart reflects a dawning awareness that coercion, especially the subtle, hidden coercion experienced by the most vulnerable, including the elderly, the sick, the disabled and those living with domestic abuse, cannot be reliably detected, let alone prevented.

Key protections that should form the very foundation of such legislation, however flawed the principle may be, have been removed or rejected. Proposals for mandatory training for doctors to recognise coercive control were voted down by the Parliament Health and Social Care Committee. Measures ensuring that patients are offered proper palliative and social care before considering assisted suicide were dismissed. An opt-out for hospices and care homes who object to assisted suicide was also rejected. Even the conscience rights of healthcare workers remain uncertain. As a result, MSPs are being asked to vote on a Bill that is incomplete and reliant on future intervention from Westminster—an arrangement that several parliamentarians have already described as unworkable and irresponsible.

Experience from abroad also offers a sober warning. In countries where assisted suicide has been introduced, narrow criteria have widened over time, placing ever more people at risk—not because of unbearable physical suffering, but because they feel abandoned, isolated, or burdensome. We must not allow such a trajectory to take root here in Scotland.

We therefore urge you, the Catholic faithful of Scotland, to act. Please contact your MSPs and respectfully ask them to oppose this legislation. Make your voice heard in defence of those who may not be able to speak for themselves. Resources to assist you—including Care Not Killing’s online email tool—are available and we invite you to use them prayerfully and thoughtfully.

Let us also hold in prayer all those approaching the end of life, all who care for them, and all charged with shaping the laws of our land. May the Holy Spirit grant our nation the wisdom to choose the path of life, compassion, and genuine human solidarity.

Yours devotedly in Christ,
+ John Keenan, President, Bishop of Paisley
+ Brian McGee, Vice-President, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
+ Andrew McKenzie, Episcopal Secretary, Bishop of Dunkeld
+ Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
+ William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow
+ Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell
+ Hugh Gilbert, Bishop of Aberdeen
+ Francis Dougan, Bishop of Galloway

Contact:
Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

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.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

February 2026

18Feb

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

18 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Discipline, Charity, Humility: Archbishop’s Message to MSPs on Ash Wednesday

Archbishop Cushley led the annual Ash Wednesday service at the Scottish Parliament earlier today.

The annual gathering is an opportunity for MSPs and parliament staff to pray together, listen to scripture and receive ashes.

Archbishop Cushley told those gathered: “Lent is a wonderful opportunity to look at ourselves as honestly as we can and to say we’re sorry for our sins.

“We can do it in three simple ways – through discipline towards ourselves, charity towards others and humility before almighty God.

“With those three things you are going to have a good Lent. It’s an opportunity to challenge ourselves to grow, and with God’s grace we will rediscover how good it is to have those three things in place: discipline, charity and humility.”

MSPs attending the service included Marie McNair, Bob Doris, Michael Matheson, Mairi Gougeon, Paul O’Kane, Alex Rowley, Michael Marra, Pauline McNeill and Mark Griffin.

Archbishop Cushley thanked Clare Adamson MSP for sponsoring the event.

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: “The distribution of ashes in Holyrood has become a regular feature on the parliamentary calendar and I am delighted that so many MSPs and staff continue to support it. Being an elected representative is a really tough, demanding job and I hope that the Ash Wednesday service, and the annual Mass before summer recess, give MSPs spiritual support and strength.”

18Feb

To believe in Him and to be His disciples means allowing ourselves to be changed and to take on His same feelings

18 Feb, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

To believe in Him and to be His disciples means allowing ourselves to be changed and to take on His same feelings

#MissiosWednesdayWisdom

@followers

18Feb

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent

18 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent.

Although it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass today and receive the imposition of ashes as a visible sign of repentance and our desire to turn back to the Lord.

Ash Wednesday is also a day of fast and abstinence. We are required to abstain from meat, and those aged 18–59 who are in good health are obliged to fast, taking one main meal and two snacks.

As we begin these forty days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, may this season be a time of renewal for us all.

18Feb

This Lent, the Commission for Marriage, Family and Life invites families to enter the desert with Christ

18 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This Lent, the Commission for Marriage, Family and Life invites families to enter the desert with Christ.

Across Scotland, families and couples are coming together to pray a nightly decade of the Rosary, supporting one another as we walk with Jesus throughout these forty days of prayer, fasting and renewal.

When you sign up, you will receive simple resources to help you create a dedicated place of prayer in your home, along with access to a digital community where Catholics can share intentions and encourage one another in daily prayer.

Those who take part will also be invited to a special Lenten retreat day featuring family adoration, inspiring talks and time for quiet contemplation.

Begin this Lenten journey together as a family.
Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/vwQ1ha28N7

This lent the commission for marriage family and life invite your families to enter the desert with Christ. Come and join families and couples across the country in praying a nightly decade of the rosary. We will support one another in our effort to walk with Jesus these 40 days.

When you sign up you will receive materials guiding you in setting up a designated place for prayer in your homes. You will also receive a link to join a digital community of Catholics sharing prayer intentions and supporting one another in the daily prayers.

Those who have joined the initiative will be invited to a Lent retreat day with family adoration, inspiring talks and time for contemplation.

Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/vwQ1ha28N7

18Feb

Gospel

18 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
‘Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
‘Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

17Feb

The Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES), on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has issued a briefing for Memb...

17 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES), on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has issued a briefing for Members of the Scottish Parliament on proposed amendments to the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill.

SCES supports the Bill’s stated aim of ensuring compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and welcomes efforts to strengthen children’s rights in Scottish law. In particular, SCES supports proposed amendments which introduce clearer age-related guidance on maturity and decision-making, helping to determine when a young person can make an informed decision about Religious Education or Religious Observance.

However, SCES has raised serious concerns that a number of other amendments extend the Bill beyond its original purpose and could have unintended consequences for Scotland’s denominational schools. SCES warns that proposals to replace the long-standing legal term “Religious Instruction” with “Religious Education” could narrow interpretation towards a purely academic curriculum model, potentially limiting the ability of denominational schools to deliver faith-based education consistent with their protected religious ethos.

SCES has also expressed concern about proposals that would allow young people to withdraw independently from Religious Observance, without the same level of parental involvement currently required. While such changes are often justified by reference to Article 14 of the UNCRC, SCES notes that Article 14 must be read in full, as it also affirms the rights and duties of parents to guide children in matters of religion, in accordance with the child’s evolving capacities.

While welcoming the opportunity to contribute to statutory guidance, SCES has highlighted major concerns regarding proposed new reporting and information requirements. SCES believes these measures would impose disproportionate administrative burdens on schools and local authorities, duplicate existing inspection arrangements, and introduce unclear criteria requiring Religious Observance to be assessed as “objective, critical and pluralistic” and “inclusive”, without clear definitions or clarity on who would judge compliance.

SCES welcomes proposals intended to safeguard the existing legal protections of denominational schools, and stresses that Scotland’s denominational education system has long held a legitimate and protected place within the wider educational framework.

SCES urges Parliament to ensure that UNCRC compliance is achieved in a way that respects children’s rights, the role of parents and families, and the distinctive character and legal status of denominational schools in Scotland. SCES is grateful for the constructive communication with the Scottish Government throughout this process, and welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively on the development of future statutory guidance.

17Feb

Gospel

17 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 8:14-21
‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.’

At that time: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’ And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ And he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

16Feb

Scotland’s 2 Youngest Priests Shepherd Souls in the Church That Endured

16 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Meet Scotland’s Two Youngest Priests!

There is real hope for the Church in Scotland.

A recent feature highlights the stories of two of Scotland’s youngest priests, Fr Aidan Matheson of RC Diocese of Aberdeen and Fr Christopher Furmage of Motherwell Diocese, and their journeys to ordination and ministry.

At a time when vocations are often spoken about with concern, their witness is a reminder that the Lord continues to call, and young men continue to respond with generosity and courage.

Their stories reflect the quiet strength of parish life, faithful families, and the ongoing work of discernment supported by our dioceses across Scotland.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to read this uplifting piece and keep praying for vocations to the priesthood.

Read the full article below by clicking below 👇

In a land long marked by reformation, suppression and the erasure of Catholic life, clergymen stand as powerful witnesses to a Church not merely surviving, but hopeful and unmistakably alive.

16Feb

Gospel

16 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 8:11-13
‘Why does this generation seek a sign?’

At that time: The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

15Feb

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

15 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Lent is not simply about giving something up.

In his Lenten Message, Pope Leo XIV invites us to something deeper: to place God back at the centre of our lives, to listen more attentively, to fast with intention, and to walk this journey together as a community.

He reminds us that listening is the beginning of every relationship, that fasting reshapes our desires, and that even our words can either wound or heal.

As we begin this Lenten season, let us ask for the grace to be attentive to God, to one another, and to those whose cry often goes unheard.

May this be a Lent that truly transforms us.

#Lent2026 #PopeLeoXIV #LentenJourney #CatholicChurch