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.

EVENTS

2025 JUBILEE YEAR - OPENING OF FIVE HOLY DOORS IN ROME

The rite of opening the Holy Doors of the main basilicas of Rome to inaugurate the 2025 Jubilee Year is perhaps one of the most solemn events of the Catholic Church, with centuries of tradition.

The pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of the papal basilicas in Rome is a central act of the jubilee. Passing through them during the holy year symbolises entry into a new life in Christ and the beginning of a journey of conversion.

On Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. local time, Pope Francis will open the first and most important of them, that of St. Peter’s Basilica, beginning the Jubilee of Hope 2025, in which 30 million people are expected to participate. Later that evening he will celebrate Christmas Mass, the Nativity of Our Lord.

On Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in the Rebibbia Prison in Our Father church.

On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Holy Door of Rome’s cathedral, St. John Lateran Basilica, will open.

On Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis will also open the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica.

The last door to open will be that of the fourth main basilica of the Eternal City, St. Paul Outside the Walls, on Jan. 5.

BISHOPS RELEASE STATEMENT ON FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION AND JUST TRANSITION

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) have released a statement encouraging world leaders to agree to and establish a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, committing all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. The statement, which is released to mark the COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan from 11th – 22nd November, calls on Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and our planet, both now and in the future, from further global warming caused by fossil fuel extraction. Crucially, in recognising the workers and communities in Scotland who rely on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood, the statement emphasises that any such transition must have justice at its core and ensure that no one is left behind, particularly those currently employed in this sector who must be ensured secure work in the move towards renewables. The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: SCPO NewsReturn

February 2024

12Feb

‘Ill- thought out, confusing, and fundamentally illiberal’ – Aidan O’Neill KC’s devastating verdict on the Scottish Government’s conversion therapy proposals

12 Feb, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

‘Ill- thought out, confusing, and fundamentally illiberal’ – Aidan O’Neill KC’s devastating verdict on the Scottish Government’s conversion therapy proposals Proposals will criminalise mainstream pastoral work of churches and parental guidance given lovingly and in good faith Aidan O’Neill KC has slammed proposals by the Scottish Government to ban so-called ‘conversion practices’, saying that they mark a disproportionate intrusion into private and family life and freedom of religion and freedom of expression. In a 46-page opinion, Mr O’Neill says that no “gap” in the law has been evidenced by Scottish Ministers and has warned of the potential impact...

08Feb

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’

08 Feb, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’ Earlier this week the Daily Record covered the debate set to take place among MSP’s on whether to have “Buffer Zones” around abortion clinics. A Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian MacKay would criminalise any action aimed at persuading someone not to access abortion or to consider an alternative, within 200 metres of premises carrying out abortions. It would become illegal, to: act in a way designed to influence decisions, hand out leaflets, hold up banners or placards or pray audibly. Incredibly, praying silently would also be criminalised. ...

02Feb

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

02 Feb, 2024 | Elena Laden | SCPO News |

Pope Francis has nominated Fr. Martin Chambers as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, succeeding Bishop Stephen Robson, who retired due to health reasons.

January 2024

26Jan

“Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart” – Pope Francis’ address for the 58th World Day of Social Communications

26 Jan, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

“Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart” – Pope Francis’ address for the 58th World Day of Social Communications Ahead of the 58th World Day of Social Communications, which will be held on 12 May 2024, Pope Francis released a message on artificial intelligence and the wisdom of the heart. In his message, the Holy Father addresses the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on information, communication, and societal foundations and acknowledges the excitement and disorientation caused by rapid technological innovations, prompting reflections on fundamental questions regarding human nature, uniqueness, and the future of humanity in the era of...

09Jan

Pope expresses deep concern about ongoing conflict in Middle East and deplores practice of surrogacy

09 Jan, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Pope expresses deep concern about ongoing conflict in Middle East and deplores practice of surrogacy Pope Francis has expressed his deep concern about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine and deplored the practice of “so-called surrogate motherhood” in his annual ‘State of the World’ address to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. The pope opened his address by condemning the October 7 attacks on the Israeli people and renewed his condemnation of “this act and every instance of terrorism and extremism.” The pope also expressed deep sorrow at the death of tens of thousands of...

09Jan

Scottish Government launches consultation on ‘banning conversion practices’

09 Jan, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Scottish Government launches consultation on ‘banning conversion practices’ The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on banning what it refers to as “conversion practices.” The Catholic church in Scotland has expressed serious concern about the nature and scope of any such legislation, and a spokesperson has said: “While the Church supports legislation which protects people from physical and verbal abuse a fundamental pillar of any free society is that the state recognises and respects the right of religious bodies and organisations to be free to teach the fulness of their beliefs and to support, through prayer, counsel and other pastoral...

December 2023

22Dec

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Galloway

22 Dec, 2023 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Galloway At 12 noon today (22 December 2023) in Rome (11am GMT) it was announced, that Pope Francis had nominated Fr. Frank Dougan as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Galloway. He will succeed Archbishop William Nolan who was Bishop of Galloway from 2014 to 2022 when he became Archbishop of Glasgow, since when it has been administered by Fr. William McFadden. Reacting to his appointment, Fr. Frank said; “I am humbled and more than a little bit nervous that Pope Francis has asked me to take on this office. I feel...

12Dec

New! ‘Catholic Families for Life’ Newsletter

12 Dec, 2023 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

New! ‘Catholic Families for Life’ Newsletter The recently established Bishops’ Conference Marriage, Family & Life Office has published the first ever issue of its Catholic Families for Life newsletter. You can read the newsletter, below.

November 2023

21Nov

Bishops to visit UK Parliament with Moderator

21 Nov, 2023 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Bishops to visit UK Parliament with Moderator Members of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland will visit Westminster this week, on Wednesday 22 November, where they will join the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in a joint pilgrimage. The Church leaders will meet Scottish MP’s attend Prime Minister’s Questions as well as a reception in the House of Lords, which will focus on International Aid to South Sudan. Archbishop Leo Cushley of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the UK Government and our Westminster MPs to discuss...