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

December 2024

10Dec

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

10 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

"The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families to receive support they so badly need."

Scotland's bishops along with Justice & Peace Scotland have long been opposed to the UK government policy which unjustly targets families who are most in need.

Image credit: CBCEW

#JandPScotland

10Dec

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP: "The Catholic Bishops of Scotland...

10 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:
"The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families... to receive support they so badly need."
Scotland's bishops along with Justice & Peace Scotland have long been opposed to the UK government policy which unjustly targets families who are most in need.
Image credit: CBCEW
#JandPScotland

10Dec

Last night's Advent Rosary for Life included this reflection from Fr Peter Shankland of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk

10 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Last night's Advent Rosary for Life included this reflection from Fr Peter Shankland of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk.

The Advent Rosary for Life is organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Marriage, Family & Life Office, supported by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. It continues next Monday at 7:45pm. Register at bit.ly/adventrosary

09Dec

'Long live Notre Dame de Paris!' Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens “Today, sadness and mourning have given...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

'Long live Notre Dame de Paris!' Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens
“Today, sadness and mourning have given way to joy, celebration and praise,” Po...pe Francis wrote to the archbishop of Paris — a message read in Notre Dame by the papal ambassador to France, Archbishop Celestino Migliore.
“May the rebirth of this admirable church be a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France,” the pope said in his Dec. 7 message.
https://iobserve.org/…/long-live-notre-dame-de-paris-jubil…/

09Dec

Photos from Catholic Communications's post

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

09Dec

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the teaching of the Church that Mary was conceived naturally but ...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the teaching of the Church that Mary was conceived naturally but without original sin, therefore making her a fitting mother for Christ as she lived her life perfectly without sin. Whilst held and understood in tradition for centuries, it was until 1854 that it was formally dogmatised by Pope Pius XI.

We are invited today to reflect on Mary as an example for us in our own lives. In our Gospel we hear the Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Mary in giving her yes didn't know what the future would hold for her, in giving her yes she was offering her whole life to God in faith and in trust. We are asked to do the same in our own lives, to have the faith and trust of Mary, to seek to rely not simply on ourselves but on God and on his grace, to know daily his closeness to us and his guiding hand in our lives.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

Image credit: Marian statue from St Mary's Chapel, New Abbey.

09Dec

As we begin our Second Week of Advent let us enter into times of silence to, as John the Baptist urged, “Prepare the way of the ...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

As we begin our Second Week of Advent let us enter into times of silence to, as John the Baptist urged, “Prepare the way of the Lord’.
+Brian

08Dec

Archbishop declares Jack Traynor case a miracle | News

08 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/archbishop-declares-jack-traynor-case-a-miracle

Department provides cross cutting functions which support the wider operations of the archdiocese. These include human resources, safeguarding, governance, legal services, IT and communications.

08Dec

Second Sunday of Advent

08 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Second Sunday of Advent

Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

08Dec

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

08 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |